Important Points On Intellectual Disability Services

By Mattie Knight


Intellectual disability, intellectual development disorder (IDD) or general learning disability is a disorder in which the development of the brain is slowed down. Compared to normal people, with this disability tend to lag behind when learning new things or taking part in certain activities. Intellectual disability services in Portsmouth are aimed at rehabilitating and improving the living standards of people affected.

According to the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, a diagnosis of IDD is made when at least three factors are present. These persons are generally deficient in general intelligence. There intelligence quotient when measured is below 70. Affected people also present with poor adaptive behavior. Most importantly, the disorder must become apparent in childhood in order to differentiate from other mental illnesses such as dementia.

General learning disability can be said to be either a syndrome or a non syndrome. Downs is one of the disorders involved in the syndromic category. In the non underlying anomalies can be detected. In both, patients present with symptoms that are behavioral in nature. They are unable to look after themselves, they lack the ability to communicate effectively and do not remember events that happened in the recent past.

IDD can be attributed to a number of factors but the most common is genetic derangement as seen in conditions such as Downs, fragile X and Klinefelter syndrome. Malnutrition is a major contributory factor in the African continent due to poverty and lack of awareness. Other global causes include fetal alcohol syndrome, rubella syndrome in a pregnant mother, accidental poisonous substances such as lead, among others.

There are a variety of services available for persons with IDD all over the world. These services aim at equipping affected individuals with the necessary skills required to go through their day to day lives successfully. Whereas some agencies run only during the day, some take it upon themselves to not only offer shelter but also secure the future of these individuals through offering them employment.

From the individual, to the caretaker, the community and the medical team, a specific part to play is assigned to each as a contribution towards rehabilitation of persons with IDD. The contribution can be family based, behavioral, psycho social or a combination of the latter two. Psycho-social treatment is initiated early in life before the child enrolls for school as this is the ideal time for a good learning foundation. Children are taught basic skills with repeated rehearsals and celebrated upon achievement.

Behavioral treatment entails acquisition of social skills and language. Visual aids such as shapes and pictures are utilized under the leadership of a therapist. This not only equips the child with skills such smiling and following instructions but also communication and sharing. More technical stuff such as math can be introduced when psycho-social and behavioral treatments are combined.

Clinician come in when complications arise that require their attention. For example, extreme changes in mood among autistic children may require prescription of anti-psychotics and mood stabilizers. It is important to monitor for any side effects of these drugs as they may result in serious complications.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment