Intellectual Disability Services, Intellectual Disability Definition

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To help assist you in your goal of providing meaningful and effective intellectual disability services, we’ve gathered insight on some of the best tools, approaches, and practices.

We hope the following documentation will help you in understanding intellectual disability and how a person-centered approach to health and wellness can make all of the difference in supporting those with IDD.

Diagnosing intellectual disability is just the start of providing adequate care. IDD services help address the unique needs of these individuals, with data-driven tools that allow those with IDD to live more productive and more independent lives.

What Does IDD Stand For?

An IDD, or intellectual-developmental disability, is a type of disorder that includes exhibiting lower than average intelligence scores and deficits in life skill capabilities. Most individuals in this vulnerable population will exhibit symptoms early in life.

Interesting Facts About Intellectual Disabilities

There are a lot of misconceptions about those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To help spread awareness, we’ve compiled some facts to help set the record straight.

In the United States, a conservative estimate is that 4.6 million people in the US have been diagnosed with a disability. Some studies indicate that the number is much higher.
To date, we’ve discovered more than 250 different causes of intellectual disabilities.
Genetics are behind IDDs in just 25% of cases.
Among adults with intellectual disabilities, 92% live independently or with family members.

Having an intellectual or developmental disability doesn’t mean that someone is unable to live a full life. What it does mean however is that specialized support is often required, including a person-centered thinking approach that allows those with IDD to have a voice in their care decisions.

In addition to offering tools for the support of people with IDD—including the widely used Health Risk Screening Tool —we’re proud to contribute to the discourse with articles and resources that provide key insights on ensuring people with an intellectual disability receive the best support and healthcare possible.

Assessments

An assessment is crucial in diagnosing and serving the needs of individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability.

A diagnostic assessment is designed to define an individual with IDD’s specific needs, including both their limitations and their strengths. This assessment is the foundation for providing all affected individuals with the proper level of care.

HRS Articles

August 27, 2020 | General/Lifestyle

Direct Support Professionals | Dynamic, Selfless, & Passionate

By Hilary Gaytan – Former DSP, QIDP | Business Development Rep. HRS, Inc. I think you could argue that DSPs are some of the most talented people in the world. (And I say that not just because I used to be one!) What other career requires you to wear as many hats? At any given moment on a shift you may be asked to be a teacher, coach, cook, personal assistant, advocate, stylist, chauffeur, nurse, therapist, tech support specialist, job coach, physical trainer, friend. As a DSP, you quickly learn that your job is not just to “show up and follow levels of supervision”. Like any job worth its salt, it has its good days, the not-so-good days, the big leaps and the baby steps. It’s assisting someone to bake their Grandma’s famous chocolate cake or teaching someone how to

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All COVID-19 Digestive ELearning General/Lifestyle HRST Illness/Side Effects Person-Centered Practices Safety The Fatal Five

August 27, 2020 | General/Lifestyle

S.C.A.R.F. Provides Clinical Access to the IDD Community

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Benefits of ELearning for Healthcare Professionals

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things, including how we work and learn, interact as a society, and of course, the importance we place on good old TP. All jokes aside, professionals have begun to take a sudden new approach to industry-related training and learning. The good news? It may be for the best. Online education has become widely accepted

Protective Equipment and Persons with IDD

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Person-Centered Thinking

CMS’ final rule on Person-Centeredness has created many conversations among those who support people with Intellectual Disabilities (ID). Some center on compliance, paperwork, and measurable outcomes. These, while relevant, miss the spirit. So, what does it mean to be Person-Centered? Is it about language, or community integration or choice and responsibility? The answer to all, is yes. While Person-Centeredness is

Physical & Nutritional Supports (Part 2)

Last month, we talked about Physical Supports and the concept of supporting a person 24/7 to achieve better health. In this month’s article, we’ll touch on Nutritional Supports. I credit HRS founder, Karen Green McGowan, RN, with enhancing my knowledge about this important way of support. Few people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are born with bony deformities. This

Physical & Nutritional Supports (Part 1)

I’ve practiced medicine in the field of healthcare for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for many years, and sadly, I had never heard of the term “Physical and Nutritional Supports.” Sure, we did some of these things in our clinical support of people with IDD, but we never had fully understood what I consider this “lost art.” It’s time

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