Intellectual Disability in India: An overview

Abstract

Intellectual disability is a disorder with onset during the developmental period that includes both intellectual and adaptive functioning deficits in conceptual, social, and practical domains (DSM-American Psychiatric Association (2013)). The present research discusses the change in the terminology of intellectual disability at different times, medical aspects of intellectual disabilities including signs and symptoms, methods of diagnosis, tools for assessment, degrees, causes, associated health problems and prevalence of intellectual disabilities are highlighted. Educational aspects of intellectual disabilities including different methods of provision of education, special schools, integrated education, vocational education and employment of persons with intellectual disabilities in Indian setting are discussed. Further, it is suggested that the future researchers should emphasize in designing interventions in social skill training, language skill training, reading and writing training, music activities, yoga program, dance activities, art and craft activities and physical fitness program for the children with intellectual disabilities.