Working with people who have intellectual disabilities can be a remarkably unique and rewarding time in your life. With improved knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes, you can create a meaningful work experience for yourself and a caring environment for your clients.

Intellectual disabilities are caused by a wide variety of genetic, medical, and even environmental conditions. Some diagnoses, such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and mental illness, may occur in conjunction with intellectual disabilities.

An in-depth knowledge of intellectual functioning allows you to clearly identify yor level of responsibility with each of your clients.

A brief overview of the history of terminology and services related to people with intellectual disabilities gives a perspective for an engaging discussion of cultural attitudes.

We will review the support model that is used to compensate for essential living skills. Learning effective teaching techniques, goal-setting, and clarifying expectations for progress gives you the tools you need to help your clients gain both confidence and increased independence.

This course will benefit anyone new to the field of intellectual disabilities as well as those desiring new insights, including nurses, social workers, administrators, and especially direct care staff.