Library Books
Overview
Intellectual disability is a lifelong condition that affects a person’s intellectual skills and their behaviour in different situations.
It can include difficulties in communication, memory, understanding, problem solving, self-care, social and emotional skills and physical skills.
People with intellectual disability have the same feelings, rights, and aspirations as everyone else.
Intellectual disability does not define who a person is, how they should be treated or how they want to live.
What causes intellectual disability?
A person can be born with an intellectual disability or acquire it before age 18.
Some of the most common causes of intellectual disability include:
- Down Syndrome
- Fragile X syndrome
- Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Rett Syndrome
- Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
- Premature birth
- Childhood brain injury.
Click on the links to find out more about these conditions.
Many people with an intellectual disability also experience other types of disability, such as a speech, hearing or physical disability, autism or a mental health condition.
Audiovisual
Intellectual disability and scientific research: from diagnosis to treatment
Learning Disabilities, What Are the Different Types?
Talk to Me: Treating People with Intellectual Disabilities with Respect
Facts and Myths about Intellectual Disabilities
Links
- https://www.inclusionaustralia.org.au/Inclusion Australia is the national peak body for intellectual disability. We are the trusted and authentic national voice for people with an intellectual disability and their families. Previously called the National Council on Intellectual Disability (NCID) we have been advocating for the rights of people with an intellectual disability since our formation in 1954. We provide expertise and advice to Federal Government and other organisations to drive systemic change in Australia.
- https://ddwa.org.au/intellectual-disability/Intellectual disability affects each person differently, and to different degrees, depending on many factors including the cause of the disability, family life, education opportunities, support systems and environmental factors.