Social and Individual Impact
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- Mentally impaired girl on a swing at an institution for physically and mentally disabled children run by the Association of the Physically Disabled of Kenya. © CBM / Argum / Einberger
Intellectual impairment has a prevalence of between 1% and 3% of people worldwide. It is more common in developing countries.
Intellectual impairment in childhood causes serious limitations in the way a child adjusts to its social environment.
As there is often a stigma attached to the condition, it is important to educate the communities that it is a natural variety of the norm and not, for instance, a "curse".
Intellectual impairment in childhood causes serious limitations in the way a child adjusts to its social environment.
As there is often a stigma attached to the condition, it is important to educate the communities that it is a natural variety of the norm and not, for instance, a "curse".
Main Causes of Intellectual Impairment
- Iodine deficiency is the single most common cause of intellectual impairment. While global rates have dropped due to salt iodisation, it is still prevalent in iodine-deficient areas of Africa and Asia.
- Environmental conditions, such as the occurrence of heavy metals (e.g. lead), can cause intellectual impairment due to poisoning.
- Genetic or chromosomal abnormalities (e.g. Down's syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome, or phenylketonuria) may cause intellectual impairment.
- Excessive intake of alcohol, smoking, or diseases like rubella and syphilis in expectant mothers predispose the child to intellectual impairment.
- A problematic birth and the early contraction of certain diseases (e.g. meningitis, high fevers, epilepsy, encephalitis) can increase the chances of a child developing intellectual impairments.
Care and Rehabilitation
Intellectual impairment is often avoidable. The focus, therefore, is on prevention. Preventive measures should be in accordance to the causes:
Where intellectual impairment is already unavoidable, rehabilitation techniques focus on helping the affected children to acquire adaptive skills for everyday life. With early intervention, most children are able to live efficient and satisfactory lives.
- Providing iodised salt to prevent Iodine Deficiency Disorders.
- Raising awareness of the threat alcohol abuse and smoking pose to the children of expectant mothers.
- Monitoring births and supplying oxygen to newborn infants.
- Environmental control to avoid poisoning.
Where intellectual impairment is already unavoidable, rehabilitation techniques focus on helping the affected children to acquire adaptive skills for everyday life. With early intervention, most children are able to live efficient and satisfactory lives.
Further Information
Information on CBM’s programmes for intellectually impaired people:
Programmes for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Programmes for People with Intellectual Disabilities
