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Adaptive Functioning and Communication

Adaptive Functioning and Communication in Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Introduction

This fact sheet explains the different levels of intellectual functioning within intellectual and developmental disability (IDD). Awareness of the intellectual abilities and corresponding adaptive functioning of persons with IDD helps healthcare providers to understand and accommodate for their patient’s conceptual, social, practical and communication skills, optimizing the clinical encounter.

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  • Understanding special voices

    The video Understanding Special Voices offers glimpses into the lives of five people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who communicate uniquely. Those who know them intimately help us to understand their distinct personalities and ways of expressing themselves beyond words. Listen to and learn from the Special Voices of Aziz, Chris, Lizzie, Diana, and Barton. Enjoy your eight minutes with them and your future encounters with people who have special voices. Video developed by the Curriculum of Caring, McMaster University, 2017 [8:10 minutes].

  • Supporting materials
    • Understanding special voices

      The video Understanding Special Voices offers glimpses into the lives of five people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who communicate uniquely. Those who know them intimately help us to understand their distinct personalities and ways of expressing themselves beyond words. Listen to and learn from the Special Voices of Aziz, Chris, Lizzie, Diana, and Barton. Enjoy your eight minutes with them and your future encounters with people who have special voices. Video developed by the Curriculum of Caring, McMaster University, 2017 [8:10 minutes].