INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY: A Little Bit Different - A Lot The Same!

The diagnosis of Intellectual Disability can be quite distressing for families. Some receive this diagnosis either before or immediately after their child's birth, often in cases associated with a genetic syndrome like Down syndrome. For others, this diagnosis may come during the toddler or early school years.
This news often stirs a mix of emotions, including fear, disappointment, confusion, and anger, but these feelings are interwoven with protectiveness, hope, pride, and love. Since many children with intellectual disabilities may not appear physically different from their peers, this realization can be particularly challenging.
It's important to recognize that, while there will be differences in your child's life, so much will remain the same as with any child. You'll continue to share family meals around the table, enjoy walks and outings, partake in family celebrations, experience heartwarming interactions, witness your child's growth and achievements, and share in their life. In essence, you'll experience the profound love that comes with being a parent and raising a child, and the reciprocal love a child has for their parent.
Remember that you possess the necessary skills for this journey, and there are support systems available along the way. No parent is perfect, but whether you're raising a child with an Intellectual Disability or any child, listening, supporting, encouraging, demonstrating love, and providing a secure and nurturing environment will give your child wings and lead them to a bright future. Your lives will be enriched in ways you may have never imagined.
The Intuitive Parent: Why the Best Thing for Your Child is You, a book by Stephen Camarata, Ph.D. www.barnesandn....
Prof. Camarata is a permanent member of the NIH study section on Communication Disorders Research and has been a member of review panels at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. He has also served as an editor for the Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research. (JSLHR). He is a professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.