What is Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD) & How to Deal with It

 

Intellectual developmental disorder, commonly known as IDD, is a neurodevelopment disorder that affects language, movement, and learning, among other activities. It can also cause physical impairment and impact the individual’s emotional development.

People with IDD can experience difficulties in performing daily life activities. Studies show that over 3 percent of the population in the US is affected by IDD. Approximately 30 percent of individuals with IDD are likely to experience certain mental conditions. For many individuals, IDD can stay undiagnosed for years.

People with IDD often experience depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc. Kids with IDD are more vulnerable to traumatic experiences like abuse or childhood bullying leading to PTSD in later years. Kids also have trouble making judgments, planning ahead, or communicating clearly.

Learn more about IDD here:

Symptoms of IDD

The main symptom of IDD is difficulty in learning. Here are a few other specific symptoms of IDD:

· Difficulty in crawling, walking, or talking

· Struggling to learn at school

· Difficulty in communicating

· Lack of judgment or understanding of social cues

· Facing difficulty making friends

· Unable to stay organized

· Not being able to handle difficult tasks

Caring for Individuals with IDD

Individuals with IDD struggle with daily life tasks like cooking, dressing, bathing, transportation, and social situations and require assistance.

Here are a few tips for caring for an individual with IDD:

Be Patient

Make sure to take your time to listen to the individual and cater to their needs. Adopt a reassuring attitude and allow them to do things at their own pace. Let them guide you on how to help them.

Use Simple Language

Since many people with IDD struggle with communication, it’s best to keep your language simple to get the message across.

You may also choose a different mode of communication like texting, emojis, or even body language.

Avoid Pity

When caring for people with IDD, one thing to remember is never to infantilize them. Keep an attitude devoid of pity and try to address them like you would any other person.

If you’re seeking professional help for yourself or a family member with IDD, Assistance Plus is the best option. Assistance Plus is a disability support service program that aims to provide education and help people with daily tasks like gardening, cooking, and other day-to-day living errands.

Their services include behavioral health services, home health care, and much more.

Contact them for more information and details.