EMPOWERING CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

BY ARTYOM ZINCHENKO, PHD

Intellectual disabilities (ID) represent a complex spectrum of conditions affecting cognitive functioning and skills, including language, social interactions, and self-care. Individuals with ID may develop and learn differently, often at a slower pace than those without such disabilities. The causes are diverse, ranging from genetic conditions like Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome, to complications during pregnancy and birth, and even environmental factors like diseases or exposure to toxins.

It's a phenomenon that can occur anytime before the age of 22, even before birth, making it the most common developmental disability globally. Intellectual disability poses a serious challenge to individuals, families, and communities. Globally, an estimated 2- 3%1 of the population, up to 200 million people, live with an intellectual disability. In the United States, around 6.5 million2 people have an intellectual disability. These numbers underscore the need for effective and adaptive educational strategies to support learners with ID.

The following sections introduce some learning principles that hold particular importance for learners with intellectual disabilities. These insights can be helpful for parents striving to support and enhance the learning experiences of their children with special educational needs.

THE RIGHT STEPS: Educators, parents, and caregivers are pivotal in crafting a supportive and enriching environment.

ELUCIDATION

Let's explore these strategies, beginning with the concept of elucidation. Elucidation is the practice of giving clear, precise, and slow explanations, and could be one of the keys to unlocking the world for children with ID. Breaking down challenging concepts into smaller, more manageable parts and using straightforward language, makes learning more accessible for these children. Incorporating visual aids such as picture schedules to help children anticipate daily activities, or storyboards to assist in understanding story sequences, can further enhance their understanding. These tools aid in comprehension and provide a sense of con