Intellectual
Disability
What is Intellectual Disability?
Intellectual Disability (ID), which was once called mental retardation, is
characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ability and a
lack of skills necessary for day-to-day living. People with intellectual
disabilities can and do learn new skills, but they learn them more
slowly. There are varying degrees of intellectual disability, from mild to
profound. The term "mental retardation" is no longer used, as it's
offensive and has a negative tone. (Byrd, 2022)
Rationale For Selecting Topic
Including Statistics
● Approximately 6.5 million people in the United States have an intellectual disability. Approximately
1 – 3 percent of the global population has an intellectual disability—as many as 200 million people.
● Intellectual disability is significantly more common in low-income countries—16.41 in every 1,000
people. Disabilities overall are more common in low-income countries.
● The United Nations Development Program estimates that 80 percent of all people with disabilities
live in low-income countries. While people with disabilities represent approximately one in 10
people worldwide, they are one in every five of the world’s poorest people.((What Is Intellectual Disability?,
2018)
Diagnosis
Intellectual disability is diagnosed by
evaluating a person's intellectual functioning
(IQ) and adaptive behavior. People with
intellectual disability usually score below 70
on an IQ test, which has an average score of
100. (Boat et al., 2015)
Description of Intellectual
Disability
● A person has certain limitations in mental functioning and in skills such as
communicating, taking care of him or herself, and social skills. These
limitations will cause a child to learn and develop more slowly than a typical
child.
● A person with Intellectual Disability may take longer to learn to speak, walk,
and take care of their personal needs such as dressing or eating. They are
likely to have difficulty learning in school. They will learn, but it will take
them longer. (Intellectual Disability | Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, n.d.)
Describe Counseling Theory That is Most Effective
in Working with the Disorder & Why it is Effective
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- It is effective when working with individuals who have intellectual disabilities
because it can be adapted to different cognitive levels by focusing on
identifying and modifying specific thought patterns and behaviors, making it
well-suited for teaching coping mechanisms to manage challenging situations.
- Adaptability: CBT can be adapted to use simple language, visual aids, and concrete
examples to ensure understanding.
- Skill development:
- Teaches essential life skills like problem-solving, communication, and social interaction.
- (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Adaptations for IDD | NC Complex Mental Health and
Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Resources, n.d.)
Treatment
Services for people with intellectual disabilities and their families can provide support to allow full inclusion in the
community. Many different types of treatments and services can help, such as:
● Treatment of medical complications.
● General preventive medical care.
● Treatment of co-morbid medical and mental health conditions.
● Treatment of challenging behaviors.
● Rehabilitation services.
● Early intervention (infants and toddlers).
● Special education.
● Family support (for example, respite care support groups for families).
● Transition services from childhood to adulthood.
● Vocational programs.
● Day programs for adults.
● Housing and residential options.
● Case management.
Under federal law (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, 1990), early intervention services work to identify and
help infants and toddlers with disabilities. Federal law also requires that special education and related services are available
free to every eligible child with a disability, including intellectual disability.
In addition, supports can come from family, friends, co-workers, community members, school, a physician team, or from a
service system. Job coaching is one example of a support that can be provided by a service system. With proper support,
people with intellectual disabilities are capable of successful, productive roles in society. (What Is Intellectual Disability?,
Evidence Based Interventions
(Minimum of 3)
1. Structure / Directive Approach: Useful to maintain focus, increase meaningful
interaction. Silence can be perceived as rejection.
2. Modify interventions for the person’s developmental abilities: discuss one
issue at time, attending to beginning, middle and end of material. Break
interventions into smaller pieces to ensure understanding. Ask client to reflect
back material to ensure understanding. Repetition is important.
3. Language: Assess the person’s expressive and receptive language skills and
adapt your language to their ability.
(Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Adaptations for IDD | NC Complex Mental Health and
Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Resources, n.d.)
References
Boat, T. F., Wu, J. T., Disorders, C. T. E. T. S. S. I. D. P. F. C. W. M., Families, B. O. C. Y. A., & Education, D. O. B. a. S. S. A.
(2015, October 28). Clinical Characteristics of Intellectual Disabilities. Mental Disorders and Disabilities Among Low-Income Children
- NCBI Bookshelf. [Link]
Byrd, F. (2022, September 28). Intellectual disability in children: Causes, symptoms, and treatments. WebMD.
[Link]
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Adaptations for IDD | NC Complex Mental Health and Intellectual Developmental
Disabilities Resources. (n.d.).
[Link]
Intellectual Disability | Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. (n.d.).
[Link]
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What is Intellectual Disability? (2018, July 25). [Link].
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What is Intellectual Disability? (n.d.).
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