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  Intellectual Disability

Core Information

Everyday interactions

People with an intellectual disability are often unaware that their behaviour is offensive to others, and it is certainly not aimed or intended as a direct personal assault. It is important that any inappropriate behaviour is immediately addressed and not ignored.

Wherever possible maintain eye contact and speak in a clear and comforting manner. Do not raise your voice or act in an aggressive manner. Threatening to call the police, for example, may actually heighten the level of behaviour that you are trying to decrease.

Some behaviour displayed by people with an intellectual disability will often be over emphasised or exaggerated, for example: shaking hands for extended amounts of time, displays of affection in an inappropriate manner (hugging strangers). It may be difficult to discourage these types of behaviour, but it is important that appropriate interactions are reinforced by every member of the community. This may be as simple as indicating that the hug has gone on long enough.

Early intervention in addressing inappropriate behaviour will often prevent the situation getting out of hand or escalating. 

The issue of age-appropriate activities and interactions has led to exhaustive discussions on which activities a person with an intellectual disability should engage in, which books they should read and what should be encouraged and discouraged. There is no simple answer. As a basic principle, it should be the right of the individual to make choices in relation to his or her life.

The following points may assist in every day interactions with people with an intellectual disability:

• ask the person their name use the person's first name in conversation 

• present a friendly and receptive manner 

• do not ignore inappropriate behaviour 

• maintain eye contact and speak clearly avoiding complex statements 

People with an intellectual disability are often unaware that their behaviour is offensive to others, and it is certainly not aimed or intended as a direct personal assault.