INTRODUCTION

Intellectual disability is a condition in which an individual has significant limitations in

intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. The condition, also referred to as cognitive
disability, is characterized by an IQ score below 70, and difficulties in daily living skills such as
communication, self-care, and social skills. It is a developmental disorder that typically
manifests in childhood and persists throughout life. Intellectual disability can be caused by a
problem that starts any time before a child turns 18 years old or even before birth. It can be
caused by injury, disease, or a problem in the brain. For many children, the cause of their
intellectual disability is not known. Some of the most common known causes of intellectual
disability, like Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, fragile X syndrome, genetic conditions,
birth defects, and infections, happen before birth. Others happen while a baby is being born or
soon after birth. Still other causes of intellectual disability do not occur until a child is older;
these might include serious head injury, stroke, or certain infections. There are a number of
diagnostic tests that can be done to identify the underlying cause of ID. The sign of having
intellectual disabilities are the child that is late in sitting up, crawling, or walking, talking late or
having trouble talking, dressing, and feeding themselves, difficulty remembering things, inability
to connect actions with consequences, behavior problems such as explosive tantrums, difficulty
with problem-solving or logical thinking. In children with severe or profound intellectual
disabilities, there may be other health problems that may include seizures, mood disorders
(anxiety, autism, etc.), motor skills impairment, vision problems, or hearing problems (NIH).

Globally, Approximately 1-3 percent of the global population has an intellectual disability, as
many as 200 million people. Intellectual disability is significantly more common in low-income
countries which there is 16.41 in every 1,000 people. While people with disabilities represent
approximately one in 10 people worldwide, they are one in every five of the world’s poorest
people. Since 95% of the population resides in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), there
is an increased risk for intellectual disabilities. Intellectual disability is a significant public health
concern in the Philippines. According to the Department of Health (DOH), there are an estimated
2.2 million Filipinos with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, representing around 2%
of the total population.The prevalence of intellectual disability in the Philippines varies
depending on the region and the age group. The Philippine Institute for Development Studies
(PIDS) found that the prevalence of intellectual disability among children aged 0-17 years was
2.8%, with a higher prevalence in rural areas (3.1%) compared to urban areas (2.6%). the
prevalence of intellectual disability was higher among males (3.3%) than females (2.3%).

In spite of the fact that intellectual disabilities affects 1% to 3% of children, according to a report
from the American Academy of Neurology, it is not well recognized, thus we chose this specific
instance. Investigating this example might therefore highlight its occurrence and significance for
therapy and early intervention.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

 Down syndrome- is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in an
extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. This extra genetic material causes the
developmental changes and physical features of Down syndrome.
 Fragile x syndrome- Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is one of the most common causes of
inherited intellectual disability.
 National Institutes of Health (NIH) - lays out its vision for enhancing Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, and Accessibility in its operations, workforce, and research.
 World health organization (WHO) - Is the United Nations agency that connects
nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the
vulnerable so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.