Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities: Lifespan Health and Function (RRTCADD)

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging With Developmental Disabilities supports older adults with mental retardation in various ways. RRTCADD contributes to researching the methods to improve health function for people with disabilities. They are involved in all those activities that promote better conditions for people with mental retardation. 

What Is RRTCADD?

RRTCADD has many goals regarding the betterment of people aging with developmental disabilities. As they find it challenging to perform several tasks independently, there is a dire need for support services from the government and other authorities. The lives of people aging with intellectual disabilities go through various changes. Their condition doesn't allow them to become self-determined. That is why they always need someone to help them with daily tasks like eating, bathing, walking, etc. 

RRTCADD interacts with many organizations and individuals to find ways to help people with disabilities. They collect accurate and transparent information and data related to the same for everyone. People can use this information and participate in different activities. Society needs to come forward to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through various strategies. 

A developmental disability is usually untreatable. One has to live entire life with it. But with advanced technology, assistive products and services provide convenience. Apart from that, some programs help individuals reduce their mental health-related problems. Unfortunately, there is a lack of knowledge among people about intellectual and developmental disabilities. They need to comprehend everything about them through accurate information. RRTCADD is the best source for the same. It is a team of professionals who research every issue in detail and find solutions. 

Aim Of RRTCADD 

RRTCADD aims to improve healthcare facilities and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They also carefully research the issues these individuals deal with and how to resolve them. The entire team of RRTCADD believes that every person should live a quality and meaningful life, despite their mental and physical condition.  

Self-determination is a goal that everybody must seem to achieve. Independent living is better than depending on someone for your needs. People with developmental disabilities cannot do anything without someone's help. But times are now changing. The assistive tools and devices have played a crucial role in providing the support they need. Still, some issues stop them from living a better life. RRTCADD believes in self-determination, especially for people aging with developmental disabilities. That is why they promote all the activities that are beneficial for them. 

Older adults with disabilities cannot find the best support because few individuals care about them. Developmental disabilities make a person vulnerable to many diseases. So, their lifespan is usually shorter than others. Therefore, they need extra care and attention to live a stable life. They also need equal rights and opportunities like others to live independently.

Providing better healthcare services and facilities to people aging with developmental disabilities is possible when everyone realizes their importance. RTCADD will be of great help in spreading this information to every individual. 

What Are Developmental Disabilities?

Developmental disabilities are mental and physical chronic conditions that affect people due to various causes. A developmental disability can be detected at any stage, even in an unborn child. So, there is no necessary timing for detecting these intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

These conditions impact their overall body functioning, and the risk of some diseases is usually higher. People with developmental disabilities experience challenges in their lives because they are dependent on others for daily tasks. These include sitting, walking, eating, bathing, getting out of bed, and more. A disabled person's lifestyle differs from others due to various factors. They also find it hard to adjust to society. Therefore, it is our responsibility to create a healthy environment for people aging with developmental disabilities. RRTCADD focuses on these issues and identifies the solutions. They have a crucial role in developing activities for the betterment of every individual with a disability.  

There are different developmental disabilities, and each of them has unique symptoms. The most common ones are as follows-

  • Learning disabilities include dyslexia, Irlen syndrome, dyspraxia, Tourette's syndrome, etc. All these conditions affect a person's learning skills. Their brain cannot understand things like other human beings. 
  • Autistic spectrum disorders like Asperger and Autism impact a person's speaking skills, learning, and social skills. Every individual faces different problems according to their severity. 
  • Down syndrome is a developmental disability that affects the human brain genetically. People with down syndrome have to deal with many physical and mental impairments. 
  • Fragile X syndrome is a common developmental disability that causes autism and other disabilities. 
  • People with cerebral palsy cannot maintain their body balance. It further disturbs their body functioning. This condition is most common in children. 
  • Mental retardation is also prevalent in the world. People with intellectual disabilities have an IQ below 70. It affects their mental health in many ways. 
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is another type of developmental disability. People with ADHD struggle with various mental issues like self-control, attention span, and more. 
  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders occur during pregnancy because of excessive consumption of alcohol. 

What is Rehabilitation Research?

Rehabilitation research identifies the best ways to manage and treat developmental disabilities and other medical conditions. It is considered a significant thing because an individual's lifestyle will improve as a result. 

Disabled people are always dependent on someone to complete different tasks. These are day-to-day activities like eating, sitting, bathing, etc. Their caretakers are the only people that they can rely on. As their mental skills are underdeveloped, they don't understand most areas of life. 

Dependency on someone is not a sensible thing for any human being. However, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have no other option. In the last few decades, technology has improved for the betterment of every individual. It also includes people with disabilities. Assistive technology has introduced many products and tools to make their lives convenient. This way, they can also become self-determined. Assistive technology's primary goal is to provide them with all the facilities for completing specific tasks. We can expect more in the future as technology becomes more advanced. Unfortunately, not everyone has the advantage of getting access to assistive technology. 

Rehabilitation research can also help recognize the problems that people with developmental disabilities experience—for instance, the inaccessibility of assistive products. RTCADD is working towards achieving the goal of providing people with excellent methods to manage their condition.

What Are Age-friendly Environments?

Aging with developmental disabilities is an overwhelming experience. Age-friendly environments are those places that offer them access to health facilities. Apart from that, these places also help people reduce the burden of their physical and mental impairments. 

Everyone is not privileged enough to get the services they need to improve their health. Age-friendly environments help them acquire basic health facilities. This way, it targets a wide range of people to enhance their lifestyles and become stress-free. 

The best thing about age-friendly environments is that people connect with others and find support. People aging with intellectual disabilities need it the most. Older adults deserve a safe and secure environment to manage their conditions.  

Conclusion

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging With Developmental Disabilities plays a crucial role in enhancing disabled people's lives. The activities and practices they are involved in are helpful when it comes to supporting them. Everyone needs to understand the things that people with disabilities need. As a result, people will come up with various solutions to all their problems.