Intellectual Disabilities - Example

Intellectual disabilities Name Institution Date Causes of intellectual disability The causes of this disease are usually known. They include: Genetic factors like Prader Willi Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Down Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome Complications during the pregnancy. Consumption of alcohol, smocking and other toxins Birth complications Environmental factors like poisonous materials and minerals like mercury or lead Inadequate diet or lack of medical care Complications that are caused by other health problems like measles, whooping cough or meningitis Although no known cure for intellectual disability exists, early intervention, support and education are known to assist the disabled children to grow into active adults who can live a happy and productive life Diagnosis During the early years of a child’s life, the brain is still developing and can respond to environments that provide support. This period is therefore very important to a child’s development. When parents get their children assessed and diagnosed with intellectual disability, they will be able to access several supports, therapies and treatment together with other intervention services. Diagnosis gives parents the chance to understand their children’s development and how it will be affected by the disease. The parent will then be able to discuss and investigate the child’s learning and cognitive abilities and his / her health in general. After formal diagnosis, the family will be able to get assistance, funding or programs from the government as well as other non-governmental organizations Since it may not be easy to distinguish between slow development and intellectual disability, some children will only be diagnosed with developmental delay until after they start school. This is when it will be easier to find out if the child’s learning difficulties are permanent. Who provides diagnosis of intellectual disability In Queensland, diagnosis of intellectual disability is done by a paediatrician. Patients may be referred to the paediatrician by their GP. Other professionals like occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists and psychologists may also play a significant role in the diagnosis and assessment of intellectual disability. They may also help in developing of the child’s support programs. Private paediatricians will charge a fee although waiting times will be short. In the public health system, consultations are free but you may have to wait for a little longer. Those in rural areas may wait for the visiting Department of Health paediatrician. They may talk to the GP to get a referral What the assessment may say A standardised assessment will be administered to children with intellectual disability at some point in their childhood. The results from an IQ test performed during the assessment will indicate whether the intellectual disability is mild, moderate, severe or profound By comparing your child’s adaptive behaviour skills and cognitive abilities with those of other children, it will be possible to identify the level of severity. IQ test results together with the other tests will determine the level of support that will be recommended for your child. His/ her personal abilities, experiences, family and community support and coping abilities, however, will greatly determine child’s development. Understanding children’s strengths and preferences may help in developing their skills. However, it may not be easy to see the child’s strengths since there can be other physical and sensor disabilities in children with intellectual disability. Parents should therefore be ready to exploit different ways that will enable them provide helpful support to the children so that they develop a wide range of skills. After diagnosis Parents will likely feel overwhelmed when they learn of their child’s diagnosis of intellectual disability. Even in the cases where you had suspensions, when this is confirmed, you may feel shocked. There might be the need to find support during this time while you prepare to care for your child. You may seek this kind of support from family members or friends. Your GP may also provide useful advice about how to go through this period and he may inform you about available parent support groups and professional support like counsellors or social workers in your area. Upon diagnosis, the paediatrician will also explain to you the types of support that will be required to optimize the development of your child. The paediatrician will also assist you come up with a plan and it will be important that the whole family gets involved. he/ she will also inform you about the services and supports available in the neighbouring community. Parent Connect Parents with newborns or with children newly diagnosed with disability can find support from the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Parent Connect Initiative. The initiative provides early response services as well as informing parents about and liking them with community services, family support networks and funding so that parents can access professional services. Child health services in the community The community clinics are adequately staffed by qualified nurses and other health professionals and they provide free child health services. It is also possible to arrange for home visits. Children should be checked in these facilities when they are one, two, four six and twelve months old. Parents may also get information about child health, nutrition, immunization, parenting and child development. Parents can also find links to other local services and parent groups. You may refer to your baby’s Red book (personal health record) for further guidance. Financial support The Queensland Patient transport assistance Scheme may provide transport services for those living in rural or remote areas. Arrangements may be made with the GP if you needed to travel to attend medical appointments. Parents that are not able to continue with work due to caring for their child may qualify for Carer Payment. The Centrelink can provide needed assistance and explain to you whether or not you are eligible. They will explain to you other supplementary payment arrangements like Child Disability Assistants payment or Carer Allowance. Early childhood education and care These include kindergarten and child care services. Approved child care services are available for children from birth. The kindergarten program, however, is available for children in the year before they start school. The kindergarten program is supported by government funding and delivered in kindergarten services or long day care services. These programs are critical and they have significant effect on the child’s development and future learning, health and wellbeing. When children with intellectual disability get enrolled into these programs, they get the early opportunity to develop communication and social skills. How the child benefits from child care Enrolling your child into child care will enable you carry on with other activities without having to worry about your child It will also give your child the opportunity to interact with other people. Parents with intellectually disabled children also get the chance to receive input from professionals who can help in introducing new interventions. Available child supports in child care Through the Inclusion and Professional Support Program, the government supports disabled children enrolled in child care. The following support may be available: Subsidised cost of extra carers and educators Provision of specialist equipment used in the inclusion program Provision of resources and professional development of the educators How children benefits from the kindergarten program This program provides the environment for the child to develop various skills in behaviour, social interaction and communication. The child will also learn to follow routine and get exposed to literacy and numeracy concepts The child will get used to peers and other people and therefore transition into Prep without difficulties. The program offers play-based learning in an environment that is supportive and fun. The children will therefore develop abilities like: Interacting with other children and adults. Increased desire to learn and explore new things. Managing and understanding their feelings. Developing confidence, independence and identity. Communicating with others. Available support in the Kindergarten program The teachers in long day care and kindergarten services can access support necessary to assist children with intellectual disability, especially through the Disability Support Funding Program, Department of Education and Training. Such support may include: Play services and support equipment Professional development and specialised training for the kindergarten teachers Additional teacher aide-time to facilitate inclusion of the child to the program The teachers may also re-design the program to serve the specific needs of your child for successful inclusion. Planning the child’s transition into kindergarten program Children with intellectual disability may be faced with greater challenges when getting included into kindergarten programs. There will be need therefore, for more planning for them compared to other children. To achieve successful transition, proper planning that will require the participation of the family, the kindergarten teacher and the kindergarten community. Arrangements should begin 6 to 12 months before the child is introduced to the program. Planning for the transition will usually involve activities like enrolment and arrangements for a suitable program for the child. During planning, any additional support that may be needed must be identified so that successful transition is realised. The parent may need to visit the kindergarten to familiarise with the routines and programs. This will help in adjusting routines at home to achieve near similar experiences in the program Tips for parents Learn about intellectual disabilities. This will help parents understand their children and be helpful in the intervention. Helpful resources are provided at the end of this publication. Encourage your child to be independent. You should encourage the child to know how to feed, groom, dress and use the bathroom. Assign small tasks around the home. You should, however, take into account the age, span of attention and abilities of the child. You may break down the tasks into smaller steps that can be easily followed. If you want him/her to set the table, you could ask the child to fetch the right number of napkins then get her to arrange them around the table in each person’s place. Ask the child to get other utensils and arrange them one at a time. Explain what needs to be done in every step and demonstrate how to do something if the child doesn’t remember. Assist the child when he/ she needs your assistance and let him/ her know when he/she has done well. Build the child’s abilities. Get to know and understand the skills taught at the kindergarten and assist the child apply them when at home. If they are taught about money during a certain lesson, take him/ her with you to buy groceries. Let him count the money then help him count the change. Look out for and take your child to local social centres and activities that will help the child build social skills. Seek the advice of other parents who have children with intellectual disability. You can learn out of their experiences and get practical advice as well as emotional support. Make arrangements with the school to come up with an educational plan that will address the needs of the child. Maintain close contact with the school and provide whatever assistance that you can provide. Tips for managing stress of caring for your child. Live a simple life Ensure that you eat well, engage in regular exercise and get enough rest Manage your expectations and accept that you might not do everything. Be realistic with yourself Try to be positive with what you do. Ensure that you regularly go for health check. Consult your counsellor or doctor when things do not seem right. Share the needs of the one you are supporting with friends, trained professionals or family members. You may find someone willing to help. Read More