MANILA, Philippines – To call attention to people with intellectual disabilities, February 12-18, 2011, is observed as National Intellectual Disability Week. Originally declared as “Retarded Children’s Week” pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1385 in 1975, the celebration later became the “National Mental Retardation Week” and is now National Intellectual Disability Week.

Intellectual disability is defined as a certain limitations in mental functioning and skills. The average person’s intellectual functioning is 100. It is believed that people with an IQ below 70 are considered to have intellectual disability. The disability usually occurs at birth or later in childhood. The intellectually disabled have difficulty in following directions and instructions, solving problems, understanding complex information, and in exercising judgment and abstract thought.

Some of the factors that cause intellectual disability are genetic factors; problems during pregnancy of the mother (heavy alcohol use, infections such as rubella and glandular disorders); problems at birth such as hyperthyroidism, measles, chickenpox, among others; environmental factors such as malnutrition and unhealthy living conditions. There is no cure for intellectual disability but it can be managed through teaching interventions.

Carrying the theme, “Changing Times, Changing Needs: Moving Toward Happiness,” this year’s celebration is part of the observance of the Philippine Decade of Persons with Disabilities (2003-2013) as provided in Presidential Proclamation No. 240. The Department of Education is encouraging all schools, especially those with Special Education programs, to conduct activities such as advocacy campaigns featuring children and youth with disabilities; inviting the public to observe classes and other educational services provided to children and youth with intellectual disability; conducting dialogues with parents, service providers, and other stakeholders on the theme of the celebration; discussing the best practices on the inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities during teachers’ and parents’ meetings; holding cultural shows, camps, sportsfests, photo and work exhibits, and other activities; and encouraging children with intellectual disabilities to tell their stories. The Annual Camp Pag-ibig for children with special needs will be held on February 12-13, 2011, at the Balara Filter Plant in Quezon City.

Let us support the intellectually disabled by joining the activities lined up for the celebration. Let us be agents in helping them in their journey towards the realization of their fullest potentials.