Family Intellectual Disabilities

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Intellectual disabilities can be linked to a theory named Family System’s Theory. Family System’s Theory is introduced as saying that one cannot be understood if they isolate themselves from other people. The only way that they can be understood is if they work together as a family and build an emotional unit. Family systems theory connects to intellectual disabilities in the family because it focuses on one of the most important components of the environment, and that is the home and family. This theory focuses on trying to bring the family together instead of leaving each other out during certain things. Having a member in the family with an intellectual disability can either make a family, or break them. They cannot fully understand what …show more content…
African Americans are at a higher risk of being affected by intellectual disabilities (Brault, 2012). They have a higher rate of 20.7% than any other ethnic group. This can impact an African American family in many ways. Pruchno et al., (1997), conducted a study that showed that African American mothers who had a child with an intellectual disability, were less likely to be married. Pruchno felt as if they had a child who was intellectually disabled, it would be harder for them to have a whole family. The reason being is because it is hard taking care of a child with a disability. But, it is even harder for an African American family to do so. That comes back to financial situations. The caregiver of an African American family member may also face more challenges when taking care of the individual with an intellectual disability because they are limited to environmental and socioeconomic resources. As for a Caucasian family, they are more likely to receive more help with situations like this. Just like any other ethnic group, having a family member with an ID puts stress and adds more financial burdens to a family. The type of impact an African American parent receives depends on the negative and positive social interactions that the individuals may have with other family members such as cousins, sisters, grandparents, etc. This can become stressful. This can be helped if family members can …show more content…
They also have a lower chance of finding employment than any other family members. A study conducted that only 15% out of more 5,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities were employed (The Arc, 2016). So, without a proper education that most likely means, not being able to find a higher paying job. To help individuals with disabilities get a better education, they can be homeschooled by a professional who knows about intellectual disabilities verses attending a public school where there are more individuals like them in need. That may make them feel more comfortable about learning and may make them feel more important. There are also colleges that are specifically made for individuals with intellectual disabilities. As far as financial situations, there are more companies that are hiring individuals with an intellectual disability who is willing and able to work. In order to put these things into motion, they will first need adaptive skills. Adaptive skills are skills that are used on an everyday basis that is needed for an individual to be able to live, work, and play in the
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