Intellectual Disability

doi:10.1017/9781911623311.011

Chapter 7 - Intellectual Disability

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 October 2022

Oyepeju Raji and

Cristina Gangemi

Edited by

Christopher C. H. Cook and

Andrew Powell

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Christopher C. H. Cook: Affiliation:
Institute for Medical Humanities, Durham University
Andrew Powell: Affiliation:
Formerly Warneford Hospital and University of Oxford

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Summary

Spirituality is a deeply personal universal human experience, and people with intellectual disability may miss out on the expression of this vital part of their identity, which is a fundamental human right. An understanding of people with intellectual disability as creative communicators has been gained through action research, but spirituality is still a poorly understood aspect of their lives, giving rise to unmet needs. Outdated practices and beliefs about the origins of disability have led to a culture of exclusion or, at best, tokenism. Around the world, reports are still emerging of marginalization, discrimination and even abuse because of negative spiritual attribution or views about cognitive abilities and consequent economic worth. Faith communities and secular care providers need to incorporate new learning about the importance of spirituality for mental health into mainstream planning of care with the involvement of people with intellectual disabilities who communicate creatively as co-producers.

Keywords

cognitive communication creative difficulties disability faith intellectual learning presence spiritual

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Type: Chapter
Information: Spirituality and Psychiatry , pp. 139 - 157

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781911623311.011 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2022

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