It is the desire of every parent to have a normal child both physically as well as mentally. Many parents are gripped with anxiety as they watch their young ones undergo growth and development. As a parent or guardian in Portsmouth, PA, it is important to note that things will not always turn out as planned. Indeed, there a good number of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Commonly, this problem will be identified before the age of eighteen.
The condition is also called mental retardation in some quarters but this term is slowly becoming obsolete. It may be seen in isolation but a number of people have it coexisting with physical abnormalities. This has been observed with conditions such as foetal alcohol syndrome and Down syndrome. Risk factors that have been identified may be biomedical, social, educational or behavioural. Infections associated with pregnancy and the perinatal period is particularly harmful.
One of the biggest challenges that the affected persons face is the inability to grasp issues fast. Most of them need to have issues repeated to them over and over before they can understand. It is therefore very important when one is attempting to impart knowledge and skills in such children. If possible, these children should be taught in special schools in which they have the attention of a specially trained teacher.
While some of the cases are obvious from the onset, there are many others that have rather subtle features. It is important that the affected child is reviewed by a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis to be made. There are three main things that must be present for a proper diagnosis to be made: an onset at an age of less than 18, accompanying intellectual limitations and the presence of compromised adaptive behaviour.
Adaptive behaviour encompasses three main areas. There are conceptual skills, social skills and practical skills. Conceptual skills refer to those related to language and literacy, time, self direction and number concepts. Social skills revolve around interpersonal relationships. They are the skills that help us form friendships and to solve conflicts. Practical skills are necessary for daily living and personal living. The affected persons are put into different groups depending in the extent of limitation.
Since there are different degrees of limitation, classification is often necessary to help in instituting the appropriate form of management. The assessment of an individual should take into account their immediate community. The intellectual functioning of the individual must be below that of the surrounding population for a positive diagnosis to be made.
Research has established that a number of things can be done so as to minimise the chances of having a child suffering from the disability. One area that ca be used for intervention is social support. Expectant women should get proper nutrition and care to provide a conducive environment for foetal growth. Genetic counselling of prospective couples is another strategy that has had tremendous success.
Intellectual disability is considered the commonest developmental disability. While it is a major challenge for the parents and the affected individual, near normal lives can be realised with proper training. Early identification and training are central to the realisation of this. It is important to point out that the limitation is not a disease; it cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
The condition is also called mental retardation in some quarters but this term is slowly becoming obsolete. It may be seen in isolation but a number of people have it coexisting with physical abnormalities. This has been observed with conditions such as foetal alcohol syndrome and Down syndrome. Risk factors that have been identified may be biomedical, social, educational or behavioural. Infections associated with pregnancy and the perinatal period is particularly harmful.
One of the biggest challenges that the affected persons face is the inability to grasp issues fast. Most of them need to have issues repeated to them over and over before they can understand. It is therefore very important when one is attempting to impart knowledge and skills in such children. If possible, these children should be taught in special schools in which they have the attention of a specially trained teacher.
While some of the cases are obvious from the onset, there are many others that have rather subtle features. It is important that the affected child is reviewed by a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis to be made. There are three main things that must be present for a proper diagnosis to be made: an onset at an age of less than 18, accompanying intellectual limitations and the presence of compromised adaptive behaviour.
Adaptive behaviour encompasses three main areas. There are conceptual skills, social skills and practical skills. Conceptual skills refer to those related to language and literacy, time, self direction and number concepts. Social skills revolve around interpersonal relationships. They are the skills that help us form friendships and to solve conflicts. Practical skills are necessary for daily living and personal living. The affected persons are put into different groups depending in the extent of limitation.
Since there are different degrees of limitation, classification is often necessary to help in instituting the appropriate form of management. The assessment of an individual should take into account their immediate community. The intellectual functioning of the individual must be below that of the surrounding population for a positive diagnosis to be made.
Research has established that a number of things can be done so as to minimise the chances of having a child suffering from the disability. One area that ca be used for intervention is social support. Expectant women should get proper nutrition and care to provide a conducive environment for foetal growth. Genetic counselling of prospective couples is another strategy that has had tremendous success.
Intellectual disability is considered the commonest developmental disability. While it is a major challenge for the parents and the affected individual, near normal lives can be realised with proper training. Early identification and training are central to the realisation of this. It is important to point out that the limitation is not a disease; it cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
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