Intellectual disability affects a young person’s learning, development and behaviour.

Intellectual disability is different for every young person. It can range from mild to severe.

Young people with intellectual disability will generally learn at a slower rate than other young people.

• it may take them longer to learn things

• they may have difficulty reading and writing

• it can affect how they communicate

• it will affect their understanding

• it may affect their ability to adapt to new or unfamiliar situations

Intellectual disability is a common disability, for example:

• 5.8% (or 139,000) of Australian boys aged 0–14 have intellectual disability

• 3.1% (or 71,000) of Australian girls aged 0–14 have intellectual disability (ABS 2019b)

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About 30% of participants in the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have intellectual disability.

Intellectual disability can be caused by:

• Genetic conditions like Down syndrome

• A traumatic injury to the head or brain

• An infection like meningitis

• Problems during birth, like not having enough oxygen.

Most people with intellectual disability are born with the disability.

Yes, they can.

People with intellectual disability can have other disability such as blindness/vision impairment, deafness, physical disability, autism, physical illness or mental illness.

• Young players with intellectual disability will generally learn at a slower rate than other young people. This may apply to:

• Language skills- speaking and communicating to other team members

• Motor skills – learning sports skills like kicking and passing

• Social skills – playing as a team member and developing friendships

• Understanding and following the rules of the sport

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Young people with intellectual disability will learn and develop new skills at their own pace. They will often need more time and practice than other young people of the same age.

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Every person with intellectual disability is unique, just like everyone else. The level of support needed will be different for every young person and may change throughout their life.

All young people have their own strengths and weaknesses. Building self-esteem is important for young person’s confidence in learning new skills.