Myths and Facts About People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

North Star Oregon • June 19, 2024

Myths and Facts About People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

North Star Oregon provides disability support services in Oregon - specifically, in-home attendant care and day support activities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). As care providers, we sometimes need to educate family and friends about these disabilities, since there are many misconceptions surrounding them.

Today, we’ll dispel some myths about intellectual and developmental disabilities and provide some much-needed facts about them. You may learn that what you thought you knew isn’t actually true!

MYTH: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities cannot attend college.

FACT: You may be wondering, can people with intellectual disabilities go to college? The answer is yes! There are college-level programs for people with I/DD who were able to graduate from high school. In Oregon, there’s one such program, and it’s at Portland State University. Their Career and Community Studies major is a four-year certificate program that provides an inclusive college experience for students with I/DD. 

In addition to services that all PSU students receive, Career and Community Studies students also receive individualized support with academics, employment, and campus life. If you’re looking for an inclusive college in Oregon, PSU may be your best bet.

MYTH: Most people with I/DD have a severe intellectual disability.

FACT: According to the Special Olympics, 85% of people with an intellectual disability have a mild one. This means that most people with I/DD are able to get jobs, go to school, and engage with their communities. Even those with more severe intellectual disabilities are able to excel in life in their own ways.

 MYTH: Developmental disabilities are rare.

FACTS: Are developmental disabilities rare? You may be surprised to know that they’re actually quite common. Over six million people in the United States experience some form of developmental disability. These disabilities are becoming more prevalent as autism is being recognized in more people. As of 2008, one in six children are known to have some form of developmental disability, but the numbers have likely gone up since then. In fact, it’s possible that you know someone with one of these disabilities!

MYTH: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive better healthcare than the general population.

FACT: People with I/DD actually receive worse healthcare than most people - or worse, none at all. It’s no wonder, then, that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a shorter life expectancy than most Americans. Unfortunately, the average lifespan of someone living with I/DD is 20 years shorter than that of the general population. 

That being said, people with I/DD are living longer now than they ever have before, which is great news. As healthcare providers are better able to address the needs of people with I/DD, we can expect them to live even longer lives in the future.


MYTH: Inclusion can have negative effects on people without I/DD.

FACT: Integrating people with I/DD into activities neurotypical people participate in, like school and sports, can have positive effects on everyone. Inclusivity breaks down barriers to accessing certain life experiences, as there aren’t always programs specifically for people with I/DD. 

Being around people with disabilities can increase compassion for others. We live in a world that simply doesn’t make time for people who process things more slowly, and introducing neurotypical people to those with I/DD can help them become more patient. It also helps neurotypical people see things from the perspective of those who aren’t exactly like them. This can help them become better friends and even better leaders. 

MYTH: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities cannot get married or have children.

FACT: People with I/DD can get married. However, it’s more complicated for people with disabilities to get married than it is for the general population. That’s because people are at risk of losing their government benefits if they choose to marry someone. Many people with disabilities rely on these benefits to live and care for themselves, so this is one barrier to marriage that disability advocates are working to overcome.

Can people with disabilities have children, though? Absolutely! People with intellectual and developmental disabilities can become fantastic parents, just like anyone else. Oftentimes, their fertility is not affected by their disabilities. In addition, living with I/DD does not mean a person’s child will, too. For the best outcomes, all parents - with disabilities or without - should have ample community support.


Disability Support Services In Corvallis, Oregon

If you want to learn more about people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, try to get involved with an organization that serves them. Working with them can be a rewarding experience, and you may be surprised by how much they can teach you. North Star Oregon serves people with I/DD through disability support services such as Day Support Activities and In-Home Attendant Care in the mid-Willamette Valley. We currently serve Benton, Linn, Marion, and Polk Counties. Contact us today to learn how you can get involved!

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