NCDA pushes for inclusive support for intellectual disabilities

In observance of National Intellectual Disability Week, spanning from Feb. 14 to 20, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) reiterated its commitment to promoting awareness and fostering acceptance and support for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The Local and International Advocacy of the Philippine Association for Intellectual Disabilities (PAFID) said on Saturday, Feb. 17, that this celebration is according to Proclamation 1385 since 1975.

However, amidst the celebration, there's a growing recognition of the need for “linguistic sensitivity” and policy reform.

Alphonsus De Ablan, Director of PAFID, emphasized the importance of using respectful and inclusive language.

He highlighted the insulting nature of terms like "mental retardation" or "retarded" and stressed the need to replace them with more respectful terminology.

"Sa clinical o sa academe ay ginagamit pa naman ito pero politically incorrect ang gamitin sa society ang mga words na ito dahil nagamit sya na pangdegrade ng tao kaya tinatanggal natin ito (In clinical or academic settings, these words are still being used, but they are considered politically incorrect in society because they have been used to degrade people, so we are removing them)," said De Ablan during the interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo on Feb. 17.

Salamanca Statement and framework

Moreover, drawing attention to international frameworks such as the "Salamanca Statement and Framework," he emphasized the importance of providing equitable opportunities and support for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

"In 1994, various countries engaged in discussions and agreed that they wanted to issue a declaration wherein one of the statements emphasized that just because you have a disability doesn't mean you can't receive the same opportunities as neurotypical individuals or those without disabilities," De Ablan said in Filipino.

He added that it is further stated in this framework that they should not be discriminated against and should be given what is appropriate for them.

"Katulad ng sa education, kadalasan ang mga batang may intellectual disability sa loob ng classroom, dahil mahina nga sila at ang IQ nila ay below 70, at ang function nila at adoptive behavior ay hindi nakakapagcope, ibig sabihin ba nito ay ipapantay natin sila sa mga ka-edad nila? So hindi (Similar to education, often children with intellectual disabilities are placed inside the classroom because they are considered weak and their IQ is below 70, and their functioning and adaptive behavior cannot cope. Does this mean we will equate them with their peers? No)," De Ablan said.

He noted that there is what is called an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which is tailored specifically for a child with an intellectual disability based solely on them.

Even if there are two children with the same intellectual disability, the IEP is not simply copied; it is necessary to consider what the child already knows and what they do not, as well as what surrounds them, De Ablan added.

He emphasized that this is tailor-made, meaning it is specially done for a child with an intellectual disability; it should be customized and made, especially for that one kid with an intellectual disability.

"Kailangan gagamit tayo ng mga adaptive tools o magbibigay tayo ng accommodations kasi ang goal ay mabigay sa kanila kung ano ang kailangan nila sa kanilang kapasidad at hindi lang basta maturuan (We need to use adaptive tools or provide accommodations because the goal is to give them what they need based on their capacity, not just to teach them)," he explained.

De Ablan stressed that the focus should not only be on teaching by the teacher but also on the child's learning.

Intellectual disabilities vs. mental health conditions

On the other hand, De Ablan explained the difference between intellectual disability and other disabilities, stating, "Intellectual disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder where there is a deficiency or low IQ in the child, and at the same time, their functional skills, adaptive skills, and behavior are not appropriate or not like those without disabilities."

While mental disabilities, such as depression and bipolar disorder, have many examples, he said that they have different treatments like therapy or processes, but they can be treated because there are medications available.

"Iba ito sa intellectual disability dahil ito [intellectual disability] ay panghabangbuhay na at ang kailangan nating ibigay sa kanila ay 'yung intervention (This is different from intellectual disability because it [intellectual disability] is lifelong, and what we need to provide them is intervention)," De Ablan said.

93,000 Filipinos were diagnosed with intellectual disabilities

Moreover, based on the NCDA, there are around 1.4 million Filipinos with disabilities, and 93,000 of them have been diagnosed with intellectual disabilities.

De Ablan said that it can be seen that among those with disabilities, some are marginalized, but among the marginalized, those with intellectual disabilities are the “most marginalized.”

"Sa paglilibot natin sa ibang bansa, maririnig mo sa magulang 'yung paghihirap nila sa pag-aalaga ng may intellectual disability (When traveling to other countries, you'll hear from parents about their struggles in caring for someone with an intellectual disability)," he said.

He added that it can also be observed in children how they struggle, and it can also be smelled because we know that most of them, especially those with severe, profound intellectual disabilities, are unable to care for themselves; they will just defecate without any concern.

"Kung minsan naiiwasan sila because napakahirap magkaroon ng isang bata o inaalagaan na mayroong intellectual disability tapos papaano pa ang part ng community (Sometimes they are avoided because it's very difficult to have a child or take care of someone with an intellectual disability, and then there's the community aspect to consider as well)," he noted.

Despite the challenges, De Ablan expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of organizations like PAFID and government agencies like the NCDA, DSWD, and DepEd in addressing the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

He also mentioned that personally speaking, the country's status on intellectual disability is catching up.

"It's difficult to downplay it because there are government agencies and institutions; there are individuals who, in their little way, are gradually working towards the welfare of these children; they are helping," he pointed out.

De Ablan said that the issue of a family having a child with an intellectual disability is also a societal issue, so it should be the duty of everyone to have concern for these individuals.