The history of Intellectual Disability (ID) is
difficult to grasp, not dissimilar to the historic treatment of other
minorities however. From its first
mention in writings of the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, those permitted to
live beyond their first few weeks, faced a desolate and uncertain future.
In consideration of the Intellectual Disabled
community within the United States, these obstacles continued through the mid
1800s. It wasn’t until further research
and optimism gave rise, that views began to change. Published works such as Sir Francis Galton’s,
Hereditary Genius in 1869, reinforced burgeoning activism for proper
identification and rehabilitation. Early
activist Dorthea Dix advocated for improved care and treatment of those placed
within institutions, asylums, and poor houses. Samuel Howe, director of the Perkins
Institution for the Blind established the first public training facility in the
US for those with ID in 1948.
Unfortunately, changing lifestyles and societal
norms during the early 1900s severely immobilized the new movement. Broad urbanization and evolving labor demands
from physical ability towards intellectual capability limited those with mild
to moderate cases. These changes gave
way to the acceptable and broadening response of custodial
institutionalization. In addition, the
horrific practice of eugenics became widely practiced and accepted. So much so that, “Between 1907 and 1944, more
than 42,000 people were sterilized in the U.S., over half of them in
California, in an attempt to eliminate the presumed genetic sources of diseases
including feeblemindedness. Another
22,000 sterilizations were performed in 27 states to prevent ID and other
conditions thought to be heritable between the years of 1943 and 1963.[1]
However, with changing values in the mid 1900s,
likely linked to the American Civil Rights movement and the focus on equality
for the underrepresented, individuals with Intellectual Disabilities began to
receive understanding and acceptance in mainstream society. Activism by groups such as the National
Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Retarded Children (ARC)
championed for individual and family rights.
These campaigners paved the way for governmental support. Eventually President John Kennedy’s
President's Panel on Mental Retardation (now the President's Committee on
Intellectual Disabilities), promoted awareness to the national agenda for
policy, research, prevention, education, and services.
Today, it is the societal trend for those with
Intellectual Disabilities to reside within the community in familial
surroundings. Deinstitutionalization has
changed the focus from rehabilitation to incorporation. Early diagnosis and treatment has provided
further appropriate care and thereby standard membership into the
community. While conditions have greatly
improved in the United States, the Intellectual Disabled population still
requires advocacy toward true equality.
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