INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY AWARENESS By Preevina Naidu Student of Diploma Early Childhood Education University College MAIWP International What is Intellectual Awareness? Intellectual disability (or ID) is a term used when a person has certain limitations in cognitive functioning and skills, including conceptual, social and practical skills, such as language, social and self-care skills. These limitations can cause a person to develop and learn more slowly or differently than a typically developing person. Did You Know? Intellectual disability formerly known as mental retardation can be caused by injury, disease, or a problem in the brain. For many children, the cause of their intellectual disability is unknown. If a child has... Short attention span Poor problem-solving skills Little motivation Difficulty to remember things Difficulty in communication and socializing with other children He/She might have Intellectual Disability.
What can do to help my intellectually disabled child? CHALLENGES FACED Poor self-help skills Slow in learning Social isolation Low self-esteem Having difficulties with daily activities Slower than average in learning new inforamation and skills. Children have difficulties in communicating and socializing with their peers Children may recognize that they are socially and mentally behind others of their own age. CHARACTERISTICS... Language development Metacognition Self-regulation Working memory Limited receptive and productive language Difficulties in being aware of what strategies are needed to perform tasks. Difficulties in self-regulating emotions. Difficulties in their ability to retain information while working simultaneously on another task. Encourage your child’s independence. Let your child try new things and encourage your child to do things by themselves. Get your child involved in group activities. Learn everything you can about intellectual disabilities. The more you know, the better advocate you can be for the child.