Intellectual Disability: Support Found Online

I googled the term “intellectual disability” and the first thing website that came up was the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY). This organization’s website is very informative. Various pages found on the website include: the definition of intellectual disability, the various causes of intellectual disability, the signs of intellectual disability, how intellectual disabilities are diagnosed, the definition under IDEA, resources for babies and toddlers with intellectual disabilities, and educational considerations. According to NICHCY, an intellectual disability is used “when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning and in skills such as communicating, taking care of him or herself, and social skills. These limitations will cause a child to learn and develop more slowly than a typical child” (NICHCY, 2012).
The next website that I am brought to when searching “intellectual disability” is the Center for Disease Control PDF Intellectual Disability Fact Sheet. This PDF provides a definition of intellectual disability, some signs of intellectual disability, as well as a section titled, “what can I do if I think my child may have intellectual disability?” This fact sheet is available in both English and Spanish.
The third website that I am brought to is the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), this site contains the same type of information as the National Dissemination center for Children with Disabilities and the Center for Disease Control. Both NICHCY and AAIDD contain sections containing publications. These publications include journals and newsletters. The AAIDD website also includes a virtual bookstore so that people can purchase informational books on intellectual disabilities.
I am happy that if someone is concerned about their child having an intellectual disability or is simply trying to research this condition, he or she will be brought to helpful, informational websites that will serve them well, rather than sites that may be disheartening with inaccurate information.

Definition of Intellectual Disability AAIDD. (n.d.). AAIDD. Retrieved February 1, 2012, from http://www.aaidd.org/content_100.cfm?navID=21

Intellectual Disability Fact Sheet. (n.d.). Center for Disease Control. Retrieved February 1, 2012, from www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/parents