What services are available for people with intellectual disability?
Answers
Raising a child with an intellectual disability (ID, formerly mental retardation) can be a rewarding, but daunting and exhausting task. There are many appointments to keep. The process of finding and funding the needed support services can easily overwhelm families. Family members must cope with the stress of witnessing their loved one's daily struggles with self-care, social interactions, and education. Furthermore, family members live with the knowledge that there will be no end in sight for these struggles. Finally, family members must also face their own troubling emotional reactions. Grief, resentment, disappointment, and frustration are commonly experienced. Guilt over having these normal, common emotions increase the emotional toll. Given these unique circumstances, it should come as no surprise that families often benefit from their own supportive services.