The Culture of Cognitive Disability

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Fragile X Syndrome

Down Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Asphyxia

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Anxiety

Schizophrenia

Learning Disabilities

Cerebral Palsy

Produced by:Nina Loan

&William Perot

Assistant Producer:Brittany Caruso

Culture

Shapes how we see the world and how we make sense of it

Influences our behaviors and interactions

Effects how we make sense of “disability” and how we respond to individual with disabilities

Large spectrum of disorders and conditions - many different definitions

Individuals that exhibit significant delays in measured intelligence, adaptive functioning, and academic performance

Each case is different and should not depend on definitions and labels

Every INDIVIDUAL is UNIQUE!

What is a Cognitive Disability?

Adrian MonkObsessive-Compulsive

Disorder

Adaptive ability impaired

I enjoy time on the computer

I love TV shows and movies like:

Harry PotterMonkPocahontasGlee

I get them stuck in my head and can’t get them out no matter how hard I try

I love drawing

I have a boyfriend

It is hard for me to learn sometimes

I have a cognitive disability

I have Down Syndrome

Nina “Bean”

William aka “Slick Willy”I love Victorious (the TV show)

I like the computer and Facebook

I love to do word searches

I love High School Musical

I need things broken down into small steps to learn

I have a cognitive disability

What People See

Physical disabilities are easier to see and as a result, are most often associated with “disability”

However, cognitive disabilities are very common in children and adults but are RARELY recognized or even known to the general public

Generalization A deficit in one characteristic causes shortcomings to

be given to other abilities too.

People raise their voices to talk to a person who is blind

A person in a wheelchair is assumed to be cognitively impaired

Not everyone with a physical disability has a cognitive disability…

And not everyone with a cognitive disability has a physical disability!

Artie from “Glee”

Has a physical disability

In a wheelchair due to a car accident

Does NOT have a cognitive disability

Discrimination…“Many people think we cannot do the same things

that everyone else can.”

“It happens all the time.”

“Many people go out of their way to avoid us.”

“People talk to my aides as if I am not there or can’t understand them.”

“Many people think we cannot do anything at all.”

“Some people think we have no business being in the general public.”

They Are Wrong!We are just like everyone else

We eat, breath, learn, care and feel just like everyone else

What the Cognitively Disabled Individuals Say…

“I love to be with my friends and I love helping them out!”

“Attitudes are the REAL disability.”

“Social interactions are so important for many of us as a means to learn.”

“I want to be treated fairly.”

“We want to be asked not told.”

“We enjoy having classes with our friends.”

“We want to be able to do the same things that you can do!”

For an Occupational Therapist Talk to me! Don’t treat me like I can’t understand you

Be patient! (give me processing time)

Don’t assume you know me just by a label (Use recourses)

Step by Step (break tasks down)

Use my interests as motivation

Don’t judge my behaviors

Technology is great!

“Red and Green apples are more alike than they are different.”

People with disabilities want the same respect and to be able to make the same choices that you make about your life!

The “Face” of Cognitive Disability

Questions?