Spread the Word to End the Word

[Storyteller.]

Spread the Word to End the Word
By Britt (Aspire.)

What is an Intellectual Disability?
An intellectual disability develops before the age of eighteen, and is defined as limitations in both intellectual functioning and adapting to everyday life. Typically someone with an intellectual disability has an intelligence quotient (IQ) of 70 or below, which is tested by using intelligence tests such as the Stanford-Binet and Wechsler Scales. Along with a low IQ, an individual will typically have trouble with social skills, self-care skills, and conceptual skills. There are four levels of intellectual impairment: mild, moderate, severe, and profound.

Causes
There is no single cause for intellectual disabilities. In fact, there are several. Risk factors vary from bio-medical, behavioral, and environmental causes which can occur in the prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal stages. Some examples of these are genetic errors, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic conditions, abnormal brain development, maternal drug use (including tobacco and alcohol), malnutrition, premature birth, low birth weight, and traumatic injury at birth. Infections and illnesses such as rubella, meningitis, whooping cough, and sexually transmitted diseases from the birth mother are also risk factors.

Treatment
Intellectual disabilities cannot be cured; however, they can be managed. As soon as a child exhibits symptoms of slow physical or cognitive development, a doctor will suggest early intervention. Early intervention is given to children under age three, and services are given to either prevent further delay or to help cope with and treat symptoms. These services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and interpersonal therapy. In school, children are given equal education through a law mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA states that all children should be provided with a least restrictive environment to help their learning experience flow as easily as possible, and to provide inclusion in a general education classroom to eliminate seclusion of special needs students. As children grow older, more interventions have to be implemented, such as life skills training, job coaching, and housing services in order to provide as much autonomy as possible. Various professionals intervene to provide a better quality of life to these individuals. Although it's important to help individuals, it's also important for typical learners to understand what people with intellectual disabilities have to overcome and to provide support to those people.

The R-Word
According to many dictionaries, "retard" is defined as a delay or hold back in terms of progress, development, or accomplishment. However, there is now a second definition (noun: a mentally handicapped person). Dictionaries worldwide make it clear that the word is being used as an offensive term. Until 2006, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities referred to themselves as the American Association on Mental Retardation. They made the switch because of the overwhelming increase of the derogatory use of the word "retarded." Since then, many organizations have gotten together in an attempt to increase awareness. Spread the Word to End the Word is a campaign started by the Special Olympics striving to end the use of terms like “retard” or “retarded.” In addition to spreading awareness each year on the first Wednesday of March, they’re always hosting events to encourage people to change their vocabulary. Their ultimate goal is to promote awareness about intellectual disabilities, encourage "people-first" language, and help others recognize that people with intellectual disabilities deserve respect and humane treatment.

Why “Intellectual Disability” is the Replacement Term
Originally, the clinical term that medical and psychological professionals used for people with intellectual disabilities was “mentally retarded.” However, the inhumane treatment of individuals with intellectual impairment grew as terms such as “retard” were introduced to dehumanize and hurt people. Now, it’s used to describe anything that can be classified as “dumb,” and it has become a word that can describe anything. Therefore, organizations such as the Special Olympics encourage using "people-first" language, which means that the individual comes before their disability. For example, you wouldn't say, “He/she is intellectually disabled.” Instead, you would say, “He/she has an intellectual disability.”

Rosa’s Law
Back in 2010, President Obama signed Rosa’s Law. This law was designed to eliminate the previous terminology of the “r-word,” and to encourage people to use more appropriate words. This was inspired by a nine-year-old girl named Rosa who has Down syndrome. Rosa and her family experienced the effects of bullying because of her disability. Rosa’s mother, Nina Marcellino, advocated for her daughter and for other individuals who have an intellectual disability. Ultimately, Nina and her family were determined to promote inclusion, respect, and equality for everyone.

Conclusion
It's important to treat each individual with respect. If you treat someone with a disability differently, they will feel different. This will affect an individual's personality, causing them to feel insecure and have low self-esteem. Overall, the judicial system has given justice to those who struggle daily because of the different laws that are arising (such as Rosa's Law and IDEA). It's crucial for citizens to abide by the laws in order to help these individuals strive to the best of their ability. After all, everyone is unique in their individual ways, and people should recognize and accept that.