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By Edna Booker


Just as is the case with physical abilities, all of us are not born with the same intellectual abilities. There are many individuals with intellectual disabilities in Portsmouth, VA. What this simply means is that these special groups of people may have limitations in the level of problem solving, reasoning and learning. These disorders are almost always noticed in the affected person before the age of 18.

This disability was and is still known in many areas as mental retardation. It may occur in isolation or in combination with physical disorders. Combinations are frequently seen in the case of conditions such as Down syndrome and the Foeatal alcohol system. The predisposing factors are numerous and are classified as social, biomedical, behavioural and educational. Infections that occur in pregnancy and in the perinatal period are particularly notorious.

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 shown that there is room for prevention of this condition albeit to a small extent. The general approach is to target the main causes or risk factors. For instance, couples who intend to get married should undergo genetic counselling particularly in cases where there is a positive family history. Robust social support systems help in the reduction of incidences.

Intellectual disability is said to be the most common form of developmental disabilities all over the world. The limitation presents a huge challenge to both the affected children and their parents. When timely intervention is instituted, the affected persons can be trained to lead near normal lives. It should be noted that this condition is not a disease or a mental illness.




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