The Evolution Of The Concept Of Intellectual Disability
At present, people with intellectual disabilities are visible in our society. But this has not always been the case, since there has been a great evolution of the concept of intellectual disability over the years.
This has implied a positive change in the way of treating this group. Today we try to offer them an education that favors:
- Educational inclusion.
- Social insertion.
- A life as autonomous as possible.
Concept of intellectual disability until the 19th century
Until the 19th century, intellectual disability was not different from other disorders and was considered a form of dementia. In fact, it is in this century when scientific studies begin to be carried out on individuals with intellectual disabilities and their possibility of learning thanks to proper care and teaching.
One of these famous studies is that of The Wild Child of Aveyron, carried out by the doctor Itard. With this experiment, small educational breakthroughs were achieved through a systematic training program with Victor, a wild boy from the Aveyron forest.
This shows that, by establishing a good pedagogical intervention, the acquisition and improvement of various skills can be achieved.
Thanks to these conclusions, society begins to form a new conception of this group and become aware of the need to serve them. Thus, institutions are created to provide assistance to people with intellectual disabilities.
Later, at the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, these organisms changed their purpose and became educational and learning centers.
Concept of intellectual disability until the XX-XXI century
Over time, from the end of the 20th century and throughout the 21st century, the existence of institutions for the intellectually disabled disappeared, and a new ideology of normalization was established in which, according to Nirje, it is intended:
Likewise, the principle of integration is implemented, so that all children, despite their difficulties, have the right to attend ordinary school. And, they must be given a tailored response.
Following this line, the thought of inclusion appears, based on the non-discrimination of this type of student in the educational system.
Therefore, currently, there are measures for the attention to diversity and social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. To achieve their integral development, the right to a decent education in ordinary schools or, in exceptional cases, in specialized centers is fundamental.
Thus, students with these special educational needs can overcome learning barriers and receive fair and equitable treatment.
Current definition
In addition to these historical changes in the way of treating and understanding intellectual disability, there have also been various modifications in the definition of this concept.
Thus, currently, according to the AAIDD, intellectual disability is understood as :
Taking these criteria into account, to diagnose intellectual disability it is necessary to apply a test that evaluates the intelligence quotient and an adaptive behavior scale. And, once the detection is done, take steps so that they can complete their development as completely as possible.
In fact, think of the example of overcoming teacher Pablo Pineda, the first European with Down Syndrome to finish a university degree. It states:
This phrase should be implanted in all human minds so that prejudices towards people with intellectual disabilities are extinguished.
