Intellectual disability (1695)

What is an intellectual disability?

It is a delay in learning, reasoning, and problem solving. Children with intellectual disabilities also have trouble with social and self-care skills. These skills are called adaptive functioning skills. Examples of such skills include:

• dressing.
• managing money.
• preparing and cooking meals.

What causes intellectual disabilities?

The cause may not be known. A child is more likely to have intellectual disabilities if they:

• have a genetic condition.
• were exposed to alcohol or drugs before they were born.
• had problems at birth, like a lack of oxygen or being born too early.

How can intellectual disabilities affect my child?

Children may:

• be slow to reach developmental milestones.
• need more time to learn how to do things for themselves, like eating and getting dressed.
• need more time to learn new things and to solve problems. Learning often levels off later in elementary school or middle school.
• have less interest in learning if work is not adjusted for them. This is because they get frustrated.
• have a hard time using what they learned in new settings. They need things clearly explained.
• have delays in social judgment. They are often innocent and trusting. They can be easily led by others.
• have a hard time with reading or counting and using money.
• act much younger than their age.
• need routine and lots of structure for success. Be consistent with them.
• have a hard time with emotions and behaviors. They may act out or be aggressive.

How can I help my child?

There is no cure, but there are many ways to help your child do their best.

At home

• Support independence. Help your child learn self-care skills like dressing and eating.
• Show your child what you want them to do when telling them.
• Talk with your child about what they are doing. Praise them when they do something well.
• Keep routines and structure. This will help your child know what to expect.

At school

• Work with your child’s school to create an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that lists goals for all major subject areas. Include needed special education services.
• Often extra supports like occupational therapy and speech and language are needed.
• A smaller class size can offer more personal support and is often part of an IEP.
• Model problem solving and new ideas.
• Use pictures.
• Review often so your child is able to understand and remember new ideas. This means moving slowly through school lessons.
• Give lessons in small chunks, with many breaks.
• Teach and practice life skills at school. These include social skills, self-care in the bathroom, hand washing, and counting money.

Resources

www.compasswisconsin.org Compass Wisconsin: Threshold gives information and resources to help families and children get long term support. They link families to other resources. English and some Spanish.

http://www.wifacets.org Offers parent support and information about special education in Wisconsin. English and Spanish.

http://www.lifenavigators.org/ Life Navigators offers family education and many support services. English only.

http://www.easterseals.com/wi-se/our-programs/employment-training/project-search-facts.html Project SEARCH is a work and career program for young adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. They offer training and education in job skills. The goal of Project SEARCH is employment. English and Spanish.

https://www.independencefirst.org/home IndependenceFirst has programs (leadership, social and peer groups, sexuality and dating workshops) for teens with intellectual disabilities and other developmental concerns. English only.

http://www.parentcenterhub.org/intellectual/ American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Spanish resources.