What is an intellectual disability? An intellectual disability is a condition that begins before age 18 and significantly limits intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. Individuals with intellectual disabilities may have challenges with learning, reasoning, problem solving, and/or thinking abstractly and quickly, and may also have additional challenges with everyday social and practical skills. Those born… Read more Intellectual Disabilities
Category: Professionals/Healthcare Providers
When a Child Is Hospitalized
Talking About Going to the Hospital Whether for a check-up with a pediatrician or an overnight surgery stay, going to the hospital can be a frightening and confusing experience for children of all ages. A difficult thing for many children to understand is why something has to hurt or make them feel badly in order… Read more When a Child Is Hospitalized
Helping Your Child (and Family) Sleep Better
When a child has difficulty with sleep, it impacts the entire family. Sleep is associated with mood, learning, and daytime behavior. If you have a child with a developmental disability who also has difficulty with sleep, you are not alone. What is a sleep disorder? Many parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities… Read more Helping Your Child (and Family) Sleep Better
Health Care for Adults with Disabilities (for Primary Care Physicians and Nurses)
Why is health care an issue? Adults with intellectual or other developmental disabilities often face barriers to good health care. Many primary care providers do not have much experience treating individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). There may be physical barriers to receiving care, such as examining tables that don’t lower completely for those… Read more Health Care for Adults with Disabilities (for Primary Care Physicians and Nurses)
Going To The Doctor
Going to the doctor is important, because it gives you an opportunity to ask questions about your body and to stay healthy. This tip sheet will explain why people go to the doctor and what to expect before, during, and after a visit. Common reasons for going to the doctor General checkup to stay healthy … Read more Going To The Doctor
Fragile X Syndrome
What is Fragile X syndrome? Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. It is caused by a mutation of a gene (FMR1) on the X chromosome responsible for making a protein that plays a role in brain development. When the gene is fully mutated, it becomes inactive and does not… Read more Fragile X Syndrome
Down Syndrome
What causes Down syndrome? Individuals with Down syndrome usually have an extra copy of chromosome 21. Although some cases may have a slightly different cause, all cases involve chromosome 21. Down syndrome occurs in about 1 in every 700 to 1,000 births. The chance of giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome increases if… Read more Down Syndrome
Helping People With Intellectual Disabilities Cope With Loss
Individuals with intellectual disabilities experience grief when they lose a loved one just like everyone else. Common misconceptions People with intellectual disabilities don’t understand or can’t comprehend death. People with intellectual disabilities don’t show grief, therefore experience no grief. Talking about it would be too upsetting for him/her. We now understand People with intellectual disabilities… Read more Helping People With Intellectual Disabilities Cope With Loss
Children and Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can cause long-lasting problems for young children. Children with hearing loss can have trouble learning speech and language, doing well in school, or getting along with other children. Early identification of hearing loss can prevent some of these difficulties. When might a child develop hearing loss? A child may be born with a… Read more Children and Hearing Loss
Supporting a Healthy Brain
The human brain is the command center for the human nervous system. It weighs about 3 pounds and comprises 60 percent of fat, making it one of the fattiest organs in the body. A brain’s gray matter is made up of about 100 billion neurons that gather and transmit signals, while white matter is made… Read more Supporting a Healthy Brain