CHARACTERISTICS AND OVERVIEW OF INDIVIDUALS DISABILITIES WITH DEVELOPMENTAL. Athelas Institute, Inc.

Transcription

1 CHARACTERISTICS AND OVERVIEW OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Athelas Institute, Inc.

2 WHAT IS A DISABILITY A mental or physical impairment which, depending on the degree, can hinder a person s ability to independently complete daily activities. According to the American with Disabilities Act (1992) disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. 18% of the U.S. population has a disability. That s about 5 ½ million people.

3 EXAMPLES OF DISABILITIES Disability Areas Affected Supports Needed Visual Impairment Traumatic Head Injury Alzheimer s Hearing Impairment Mobility, reading, self-care, community use, home care Communication, mobility, relationships, work skills, daily living skills Independence, memory, mobility, daily living skills Communication, relationships, mobility Programs that teach Braille, mobility & daily living skills. Some temporary support may be necessary until skills are mastered. Occupational, physical & vocational therapy, personal counseling, rehabilitation programs assisting with learning skills. Assisted living programs, assistance with memory cues, transportation services, home based services Assistance adapting to the environment, hearing aids, programs that teach alternate forms of communication

4 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Compares a child s development rate to his/her peers. Developmental period for a person is clinically up to the age of 18, federally up to the age of 22. Affects a person s thinking, behavior, emotions, relationships and/or physical appearance. Is usually long term Usually results in a decreased likelihood of living independently, as expected by his/her culture.

5 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES A person with a developmental disability is limited in 3 or more of the 7 identified major life functions: Self-care Communication Learning Self-direction Mobility Economic self-sufficiency Capacity for independent living

6 CAUSES OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Pregnant mother s health Difficult or abnormal delivery Early childhood accidents or illnesses Genetic Disorders Metabolic Disorders Unknown * There are over 250 known causes of I.D., but these only account for 25% of the cases. 75% of the time is unknown

7 *TYPES OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Cerebral Palsy Epilepsy Autism Intellectual Disability

8 TYPES OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Cerebral Palsy Chronic condition that affects body movement and muscle coordination Caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain Typically occurs during fetal development or shortly following birth

9 *CEREBRAL PALSY Spastic: Tight, rigid muscles Anthetoid: Involuntary, flailing movements Mixed Type: Above types along with tremors (shaking, trembling)

10 TYPES OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Autism Impaired or atypical communication skills Difficulty learning and using social skills; especially the concept of the skills. May have difficulty making meaningful connections with others. Unusual behaviors (rocking, ritualistic hand movements, self-injurious behaviors, hypersensitivity to sensory stimulation) Unusually strong attachment to routines and/or inanimate objects or sets of facts

11 AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS Aspergers: Impairments in social interaction, restricted interests and activities, usually no delay in language and IQ Rett s Syndrome: Period of normal development then loss of ability beginning at ages 1-4 occurs more in females. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: Normal development for at least the first two years, significant loss of skills thereafter Pervasive Personality Disorder (atypical autism): The child does not meet the criteria for a specific diagnosis, but severe impairment is present.

12 TYPE OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Epilepsy A neurological disorder Produces brief changes in how the brain cells function Characterized by recurring seizures Can cause odd sensory experiences or unexplainable behavior Anyone at anytime can develop epilepsy It is not a form of an intellectual disability or mental illness

13 *SEIZURES Tonic Clonic (Grand Mal): Body stiffens, jerks violently; may lose consciousness Absence (Petit Mal): Temporary loss of awareness for a few seconds (blank stare), eyelashes flutter, often goes unnoticed Complex Partial (Psychomotor or Temporal Lobe): Useless motions, walking aimlessly, picking up things, smacking lips for a few seconds or minutes

14 SEIZURES Causes Epilepsy Strokes Head Injury Brain Tumors Drug/Alcohol Abuse Poisons Infections Poor Nutrition Injury Triggers Missed Medication Stress & Anxiety Exertion & Fatigue Heat & Dehydration Lack of Sleep Drug/Alcohol Poisoning Menstruation Poor Nutrition

15 OTHER NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS Head Injury Learning Disability Spina Bifida Narcolepsy Prader Willi Neurofibromatosis Tourette Syndrome Tuberous Sclerosis

16 OTHER NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS Head Injury Occurs from trauma to the head that results in physical brain damage The degree of disability depends upon the extent and location of the brain injury Can result in intellectual, physical, and/or psychosocial impairments Occurs most frequently in accidents involving motor vehicles

17 OTHER NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS Learning Disability Refers to various conditions, often present at birth, but not usually diagnosed until school age May be shown as hyperactivity, perceptual/coordination problems, emotional instability, short or erratic attention span Impulsive behavior Problems with reading, writing, and/or math Difficulty with verbal expression or understanding others Can range from mild to severe Can affect success in school, at work, and in relationships

18 OTHER NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS Spina Bifida Is the second most common birth defect in America Results from malformed section of the spinal column affecting the spinal cord Can also result in hydrocephalus (fluid in the brain) Can cause sensory or motor loss, incontinence, scoliosis, muscle imbalances, difficulties with respiration, eating problems, infections, and learning disabilities

19 OTHER NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS Narcolepsy Is a serious, lifelong, potentially disabling neurological disorder involving aberrant sleep Is a major cause of excessive daytime sleepiness Can be mild or severe

20 OTHER NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS Neurofibromatosis A.K.A. Von Recklinghausen s disease Is characterized by abnormal growth of body tissue, primarily nerve tissue Can cause coffee colored spots on the skin, disfigurements, deafness, blindness, organ dysfunction, deformity of limbs, epilepsy and mental retardation may also result

21 OTHER NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS Prader-Willi Is a genetic syndrome characterized by mental retardation, short stature, incomplete sexual development, and decreased muscle tone The most noticeable characteristics include a voracious appetite and emotional outbursts Obesity is common

22 OTHER NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS Tourette Syndrome Is characterized by involuntary motor/verbal tics Symptoms can wax and wane over a 3-4 month period Symptoms increase when a person is under stress, but may disappear when the person is focused on a task Rapid eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, head jerking, arm flapping, leg and trunk movements Vocalizations may include repeated grunting, sniffing, throat clearing, shrieking, barking, or involuntary outbursts of obscene words

23 OTHER NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS Tuberous Sclerosis A genetic disease that goes unrecognized for many years Is characterized by a hardening or swellings of tumors in the vital organs Symptoms can include convulsive seizures, mental retardation, white skin spots, tumors, physical handicaps, hyperactivity, developmental delay, and skin rash Tends to be either mild or severe

24 INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES (I.D.) Definition, History, Characteristics, and Support

25 DEFINITION Refers to substantial limitation in present functioning Is characterized by significantly sub-average intellectual functioning Results in limitations in two or more adaptive skill areas Manifests before the age of 18 (before the age of 22 per government standards)

26 HISTORY Mid-1800 s First residential training facility Residential schools began transitioning to the community Attitudes towards intellectual disabilities resulted in crime and antisocial behavior

27 HISTORY Since 1969 Current The formation of advocacy groups Populations in institutions has decreased and more focus on community programs People with intellectual disabilities are being served in the community with individualized supports

28 SUB-AVERAGE INTELLECTUAL FUNCTIONING The major components of intelligence are problem solving, language, reasoning, memory, comprehension, social intelligence, organization and knowledge In general, our range of intelligence is determined by IQ tests Intelligence is a relative characteristic determined by norm referenced IQ tests and the bell curve

29 *LEVELS OF I.D. BASED ON IQ Mild = Moderate = Severe = Profound = 20 or less *The average IQ test score is 100

30 *LEVELS OF I.D. BASED ON IQ 70

31 COMMON CHARACTERISTICS Difficulty with attention and perception Less efficient memory Inefficient problem solving skills Difficulties with logical thought Difficulty applying knowledge and newly acquired skills Difficulty predicting and comprehending consequences and their actions Difficulty understanding social rules, values, and ethics on a conceptual level External reinforcement is more effective than internal feedback Information is processed concretely

32 *SUPPORTS Intermittent Involvement on an as needed basis Limited Low intensity involvement usually for an extended period of time Extended Regular long term involvement Pervasive Care is required for almost all areas of life

33 LIMITATIONS & ADAPTIVE SKILLS What are adaptive skills? Conceptual, social, and practical skills that people have learned so they can function in their everyday lives A person with limited intellectual functioning, but does not have sub-average adaptive skills, may not be diagnosed with I.D.

34 ADAPTIVE SKILLS Areas of support: Self-Care Communication Problem Solving Exercising Choice Education Home Living Community Participation Social Skills Daily Living Employment Health & Safety Behavioral They help us to Change an unconstructive or disruptive behavior to something more constructive Manage all areas of daily living support

35 INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES & MENTAL ILLNESS

36 MENTAL ILLNESS Dictionary Definition: Severe disturbances of behavior, mood, thought processes, and/or social and interpersonal relationships. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual: A disorder of the mind and thought process A significant behavioral or psychological disturbance Affects the person s ability to function successfully in relationships, work, and society

37 MENTAL ILLNESS Factors that increase chances of a mental illness Communication deficit Stress Poor coping skills Existing central nervous system problems Past history of abuse or neglect Genes

38 DUAL DIAGNOSIS A dual diagnosis is a condition of being intellectually disabled and experiencing at least one diagnosable form of mental illness

39 *MENTAL ILLNESS VS. I.D. Mental Illness Can be temporary like many other illnesses Occurs most often in early adult and middle years Intellectual Disability Is usually a lifelong condition Usually occurs at or near birth, almost always by school age Does not necessarily interfere with strictly intellectual abilities Often can be cured by counseling, medication or surgery Is characterized by slow intellectual development Can be treated through educational techniques and therapy

40 SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Childhood Adolescence Early intervention Special education programs Speech therapy Physical therapy Occupational therapy Vocational and occupational skills training Sex education Social behavior counseling Transition programs (school to work and family home to own home)

41 SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Adulthood Later Years Support/training to perform skills ay home and at work Counseling and support on building social relationships Support with community integration Retirement options Leisure and recreational activities

42 *PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ARE MORE LIKE US THAN NOT

43 GUIDING PRINCIPLES IN SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Treat people with respect & dignity, equally & fairly Use People First language (discuss the person first and the disability second) Build and support relationships Utilize natural supports (friends, neighbors, etc.) Support community involvement Support active participation Use natural interventions Be sensitive to individual rights Maintain routines and rhythms Age appropriate activities Support choice Promote competencies and personal growth Enhance quality in a person s life