Position Statements

Position Statements

As a chapter of the The Arc we follow the positions of the national chapter.

Policies pertaining to quality of life

Intellectual disabilities occur before age 18. Individuals with intellectual disabilities experience limitations in two main areas:

  • Intellectual functioning
  • Adaptive behavior

These limitations effect the person’s everyday activities and social and conceptual skills. Many people with intellectual disabilities are mildly affected; this makes the disability hard to notice with visual cues alone. Intellectual disability is diagnosed through standardized tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior.

Many children receive a diagnosis or learning disability, developmental delay, behavior disorder, or autism instead of the intellectual disability. This makes it challenging to determine how many individuals have intellectual disabilities.

With support from family, friends and agencies including The Arc, over time many adults with intellectual disabilities can live independent, dynamic lives in their community.

Policies Related to Life in the Community

Intellectual disabilities occur before age 18. Individuals with intellectual disabilities experience limitations in two main areas:

  • Intellectual functioning
  • Adaptive behavior

These limitations effect the person’s everyday activities and social and conceptual skills. Many people with intellectual disabilities are mildly affected; this makes the disability hard to notice with visual cues alone. Intellectual disability is diagnosed through standardized tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior.

Many children receive a diagnosis or learning disability, developmental delay, behavior disorder, or autism instead of the intellectual disability. This makes it challenging to determine how many individuals have intellectual disabilities.

With support from family, friends and agencies including The Arc, over time many adults with intellectual disabilities can live independent, dynamic lives in their community.

Intellectual disabilities occur before age 18. Individuals with intellectual disabilities experience limitations in two main areas:

  • Intellectual functioning
  • Adaptive behavior

These limitations effect the person’s everyday activities and social and conceptual skills. Many people with intellectual disabilities are mildly affected; this makes the disability hard to notice with visual cues alone. Intellectual disability is diagnosed through standardized tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior.

Many children receive a diagnosis or learning disability, developmental delay, behavior disorder, or autism instead of the intellectual disability. This makes it challenging to determine how many individuals have intellectual disabilities.

With support from family, friends and agencies including The Arc, over time many adults with intellectual disabilities can live independent, dynamic lives in their community.