Intellectual disability, initially known as mental retardation, refers to impairment in brain development resulting in intelligence that is below average. This means affected people find great difficulty in handling tasks that unaffected persons would otherwise find easily surmountable. For this reason, different intellectual disability services are made available in Portsmouth for affected individuals to better themselves. A variety of terms are used synonymously with intellectual disability. Some of them are general learning disability and intellectual development disorder (IDD).
For a person to be diagnosed with intellectual disability, certain criterion is used according to the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). First, individuals must be deficient in general mental capabilities. Secondly these individuals are usually unable to adapt to the social environment in terms of communication skills and so forth. These disorders should be observed in childhood. This serves as a distinction from other forms of brain function impairment such as dementia.
General learning impairment can be categorized either as syndromic or non syndromic. An underlying medical disorder is usually present in the syndromic type. One of the most common medical conditions associated with IDD include Down syndrome. Signs and symptoms of intellectual disability are related to delays or impaired social development. These individuals have poor language skills, poor memory and have difficulty in taking care of themselves.
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.
For a person to be diagnosed with intellectual disability, certain criterion is used according to the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). First, individuals must be deficient in general mental capabilities. Secondly these individuals are usually unable to adapt to the social environment in terms of communication skills and so forth. These disorders should be observed in childhood. This serves as a distinction from other forms of brain function impairment such as dementia.
General learning impairment can be categorized either as syndromic or non syndromic. An underlying medical disorder is usually present in the syndromic type. One of the most common medical conditions associated with IDD include Down syndrome. Signs and symptoms of intellectual disability are related to delays or impaired social development. These individuals have poor language skills, poor memory and have difficulty in taking care of themselves.
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.
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