Children with Developmental Challenges

Children With Developmental Challenges 3(2+1)

Lesson 17 : Cognitive/ Intellectual Impairments / Disorders of Intelligence

Health problem

Diseases like whooping cough, the measles or meningitis can cause intellectual disabilities. They can also be caused by extreme malnutrition (not eating right) not getting enough medical care or by being exposed to poisons like lead or mercury.

An intellectual disability is not a disease. You can’t catch an intellectual disability from anyone. It’s also not a type of mental illness, like depression. There is no cure for intellectual disabilities. However, most children with an intellectual disability can learn to do many things. It just takes them more time and effort than other children.