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RESPECT for the Disabled. ~ The only disability in life is a bad attitude. ~ Scott Hamilton . What are Intellectual Disabilities?. Umbrella term for many types of disabilites that affect a person’s intellectual development. Three main types: Mental Retardation, Down Syndrome, Autism
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RESPECT for the Disabled ~ The only disability in life is a bad attitude. ~ Scott Hamilton
What are Intellectual Disabilities? • Umbrella term for many types of disabilites that affect a person’s intellectual development. • Three main types: Mental Retardation, Down Syndrome, Autism • Broad range: mild or severe
What are the Causes of Intellectual Disabilities? • Genetic • Pregnancy problems (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), drugs/smoking, illness, environment, poor nutrition/pre-natal care • Birth trauma (cord around neck, etc.)
Mental Retardation • Negative stigma • Clinical diagnosis: IQ of 75 or below, no definining physical characterristics • Those with MR can often function well in society if given the proper aid and training
Down Syndrome • Genetic condition • Caused by an error in cell division resulting in an extra chromosome (21) • 1 in 800 live births • Causes delays in physical and intellectual development • Physical traits: low muscle tone, single crease in hand, upward slant to eyes, flattened facial profile, heart problems.
Autism • Severe impairment of social and communication skills • Varying degrees of severity (10% have Asperger’s Disorder • Characteristics: resisitance to change, little or no response to verbal communication, easily distressed, difficulty expressing needs, attachments to objects, monotone voice. • Four times more common in boys than girls • Growth rate is 100-200% every five years
What are physical disabilities? • An impairment is a problem in body function or structure (movement, feeling, speech) • Skeletal (spinal cord injury, etc.) or neuro-muscular (Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.) • Wide range: mild or severe
Disability Etiquette • Be patient (be aware of lengthy response times, extra time needed to complete tasks) • When speech is challenging to understand, never pretend to understand. • Ask questions with short answers. • Repeat what you understand. Ask them to repeat themselves. • Be encouraging!
Disability Etiquette continued….. • Don’t assume they need help; ask first. • When talking with someone in a wheelchair, speak directly to them at eye level (get on their level). • Don’t lean on, or manipulate, a person’s wheelchair (it is an extension of their personal space). • When greeting a person who is blind, identify your location and name. • Treat them with same courtesy and respect you would treat others. Those with disabilities have the same needs and hopes that you or I have.
Americans With Disability Act • Protects rights and opportunities for those with disabilities