Intellectual Disability And Learning Delay

Table of Contents

Let's learn about Intellectual Disability and learning delay

Intellectual disability (or ID) means that the athlete has challenges in learning which includes communication, social and self-care skills.

Pronounced in·tuh·lek·choo·uhl di·suh·bi·luh·tee and luh·nuhng duh·lay

What is Intellectual disability and learning delay?

Athletes with intellectual disability or learning delay typically take longer to learn new things.

A diagnosis of intellectual disability involves formal testing with an IQ test and requires an IQ below 70.
Learning delay may occur in children with developmental delay or an IQ below average.

Causes of Intellectual disability and learning delay

An intellectual disability may be caused by genetic conditions, problems during pregnancy and birth, illness, or environmental factors.

Benefits of athletics

Health

Regular exercise is important as children (and particularly teenagers) with Intellectual Disability have an increased risk for the development of secondary health conditions including heart disease, diabetes and weight gain. 

Balance and coordination

Athletics encourages body planning and problem solving as the athlete organises their body for each component of the event. This can improve their balance and coordination.

Communication

Learning and memory are used while developing skills for athletics. Use visual supports and gestures at the same time as verbal interactions to help learn more easily.

Terms to use and terms to avoid

Terms to use	Terms to avoid
Person with intellectual disability	Mentally retarded / retarded
Person with learning disability / delay	Mental handicap
Person with cognitive disability	Slow
	Simple
	Special
	Intellectually challenged
	Moron
	Cretin

Sources

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare - https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/intellectual-disability-australia/summary

Grondhuis, S.N. and Aman, M.G. (2014), Overweight and obesity. J Intellect Disabil Res, 58: 787-799. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12090

Inclusion Australia - https://www.inclusionaustralia.org.au/

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