The treatment of people with intellectual disabilities has evolved greatly over time. In early civilizations like Greece and Rome, infants with disabilities were often killed by exposure. During the Middle Ages, religion called for more humane treatment and monasteries were established, though people were still seen as "filled with Satan." In the modern period, Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard and Edward Seguin pioneered educational approaches and advocated for people with intellectual disabilities. Later, institutions grew but took on a custodial rather than educational role. By the 1960s, calls for more humane conditions and treatment led to deinstitutionalization in the 1970s. Today, legislation supports people with intellectual disabilities to live normalized lives with education and opportunities.

1. Historical perspective in
Intellectual Disability
Summited by :Sayyid Muhammed Shafeeq

2. Early civilization
The Greek and Roman empires have
made references about citizens with
intellectual disabilities since almost
1550 B.C. The treatment of the
citizens in these highly advanced
civilizations was brutal. The Father of
the family was the one who was in
control of everyone in the family. After
a baby was born they were inspected
by a council, and if they were thought
to have a disability they were thrown
off of a cliff to die on the rocks below.
Children who were different could also
be sold.

3. The middle ages
During the beginning of the
Renaissance in the 1300's, religion
called for more humane treatment of
people with disabilities. Monasteries
and sanctuaries were developed. Even
though people with intellectual
disabilities were somewhat protected,
they often found themselves serving
for entertainment for the King. On the
other hand, superstition was common
and people were thought to be "filled
with Satan" if they had an intellectual
disability

4. The modern period
Jean- Marc Gaspard Itard, the Father of
Special Education, made attempts at
educating and socializing Victor, the wild
boy. He pioneered the idea that individuals
with intellectual disabilities are capable of
learning. Edward Seguin, inspired by Itard,
was an advocate for children with disabilities
receiving an education. Seguin immigrated
to the U.S and became president of the
Association of Medical Officers of American
Institutions for Idiotic and Feebleminded
Persons. Seguin also helped establish
facilities for the intellectually disabled
several states.

5. Protection vs.
Pessimism
During the late 19th and early 20th
centuries ISOLATED institutions began to
become developed. However, their mission
turned from educating the residents to
taking on a custodial role. People with
educational disabilities were no longer being
prepared to function in a normal society.
Living conditions were harsh for the
unwanted citizens. The 1960's called for
more humane conditions and treatment of
these citizens. A movement for
deinstitutionalizing individuals with
intellectual disabilities began in the 1970's.

6. Today's Society
In todays society there has been
legislation that has helped achieve a
normalized lifestyles for citizens with
intellectual disabilities. They are
entitled to an education and live a
normal life in more ways then one.
They are able to do whatever they put
their minds to!