Intellectual disability

What is intellectual disability?
Intellectual disability is a developmental disorder characterised by impairments in intellectual function and adaptive ability. People with intellectual disabilities develop more slowly and often have difficulty processing information. They may also find it difficult to learn new skills and perform daily tasks independently.
What is the impact of intellectual disability?
Intellectual disability affects various aspects of life, including development, daily life, social interactions, work and education. People with intellectual disabilities often receive help with housing, work, learning and making contact. Some also have behavioural challenges or a psychological disorders.
What causes intellectual disability?
Intellectual disabilities can have many causes, including genetic factors, prenatal complications, birth-related issues, infections, and exposure to certain substances. Some individuals acquire a learning disability later in life due to illness, stroke, or a serious accident, resulting in a non-congenital brain injury.
Different degrees of intellectual disability
People may have mild, moderate, severe or profound intellectual disabilities.
- Mild intellectual disability: This is the most common category. Individuals may experience difficulties with communication, abstract thinking, planning, and managing finances.
- Moderate intellectual disability: Individuals often need support in school, at work, and in their personal lives.
- Severe intellectual disability: Individuals typically require extensive assistance with daily tasks and activities. Some may also exhibit challenging behavior. The term multiple severe disabilities is used when severe physical disabilities coexist with severe or profound intellectual disabilities.
- Profound intellectual disability: People with profound intellectual disabilities or profound intellectual and multiple disabilities are highly dependent on assistance for personal care and daily tasks.
The role of ZonMw
ZonMw plays a key role in developing, disseminating, and applying knowledge to improve care and support for people with intellectual disabilities. The goal is to enhance their independence and give them greater control over their lives. These efforts involve scientists, healthcare professionals, individuals with intellectual disabilities and their representatives, informal caregivers, and other stakeholders.
ZonMw runs several programmes in this field. The Gewoon Bijzonder (‘Just Special’) programme aims to improve care and support for people with intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities or non-congenital brain injuries. The Intellectual Disabilities Academic Collaborative Centre has been set up to improve the quality of care for disabled people and create an adequate knowledge infrastructure.