Historical perspectives of intellectual disabilities

The face of intellectual disability services has changed through time. In this article, we are going to explore some of the key thinkers of intellectual disability in history, and how they influenced perspectives on intellectual disability.

Throughout history, people with intellectual disability were stigmatised, feared, persecuted and frequently mistreated. It wasn’t until the mid to late 19th century that a more positive approach to people with intellectual disability began. It was around this time that institutions were established for people with intellectual disability.

19th Century

Led by influential individuals such as Itard, Esquirol, Guggenbuhl, Howe, and Seguin, the concept of care and education provision for people with intellectual disability began.

This emerged from the school of thought that individuals with an intellectual disability could be taught.

^{Victor, The Wild Boy of Aveyron © Creative Commons}

^{George Edward Shuttleworth collection © Wellcome Library, London}

Early 20th Century: The rise of custodial institutions

^{Metropolitan Lunatic Asylum, Kew: female patients exercising. © Wellcome Library, London}

Mid 20th Century: Dr Wolfensberger and his principle of normalisation

The principle emphasises the concept of making available patterns of life and conditions of everyday living which are as close as possible to the regular circumstances and ways of life or society.

The end of segregated living?

^{Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services © IDS TILDA}

Today: Improvements in health and social care

However, as this is the first time in history people with intellectual disability are living into old age, there is very little understanding of their ageing experience, their thoughts on ageing and exactly how they age.

As you will discover further into the course, their health is compromised, they do experience older age conditions much younger and, despite a marked increase in longevity, their mortality rate continues to be, on average, 20 years younger than people from the non-disabled population.

In your experience:

• Do you think the health care services and conditions for people with intellectual disability could be improved further through total integration into community living, or do you think there is still need for specialist services?