Vulnerable Populations and Self Awareness
Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness
University of Phoenix
Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness
The vulnerable population chosen as the focus of this paper are the mentally retarded or intellectually disabled. According to the tenth revision of the WHO (world health Organization): intellectual disability (ID) is a disorder defined by the presence of incomplete or arrested mental development, principally characterized by the deterioration of concrete functions at each stage of development and that contribute to the overall level of intelligence, such as cognitive, language, motor, and socialization functions; in this anomaly, adaptation to the environment is always affected. For ID, the scores for intellectual development levels must be determined based on all the available information, including clinical signs, adaptive behavior in the cultural medium of the individual and psychometric findings (Katz, 2008) There are many causes of intellectual disability, but doctors find a specific reason in only 25% of cases (Mental retardation, 2010). Intellectual disability affects approximately 1-3% of the population. Persons with intellectual disability can expect to live 50 years and beyond depending on the severity of their health problems (Staff, 2009). With early intervention and improved health care, life span continues to increase.
Prior to researching mental retardation, my personal awareness was very limited. I have not had much experience or interaction with persons with intellectual disabilities. On occasion, if I shop at a particular grocery store within my community, there is a young grocery bagger with Down syndrome, but I rarely shop at that store. My parents taught me to be respectful and to not tease anyone who appears or acts differently. Having little exposure to persons with intellectual disabilities my opinions and biases were that of indifference and quiet disregard. I am keenly aware of certain physical
University of Phoenix
Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness
The vulnerable population chosen as the focus of this paper are the mentally retarded or intellectually disabled. According to the tenth revision of the WHO (world health Organization): intellectual disability (ID) is a disorder defined by the presence of incomplete or arrested mental development, principally characterized by the deterioration of concrete functions at each stage of development and that contribute to the overall level of intelligence, such as cognitive, language, motor, and socialization functions; in this anomaly, adaptation to the environment is always affected. For ID, the scores for intellectual development levels must be determined based on all the available information, including clinical signs, adaptive behavior in the cultural medium of the individual and psychometric findings (Katz, 2008) There are many causes of intellectual disability, but doctors find a specific reason in only 25% of cases (Mental retardation, 2010). Intellectual disability affects approximately 1-3% of the population. Persons with intellectual disability can expect to live 50 years and beyond depending on the severity of their health problems (Staff, 2009). With early intervention and improved health care, life span continues to increase.
Prior to researching mental retardation, my personal awareness was very limited. I have not had much experience or interaction with persons with intellectual disabilities. On occasion, if I shop at a particular grocery store within my community, there is a young grocery bagger with Down syndrome, but I rarely shop at that store. My parents taught me to be respectful and to not tease anyone who appears or acts differently. Having little exposure to persons with intellectual disabilities my opinions and biases were that of indifference and quiet disregard. I am keenly aware of certain physical