Disability is the result of physical, intellectual, sensory, and mental impairment. As a result of this, an individual needs continous training to live and to be included in the society or, participate in the community.

"Developmental Disabilities" is a general term that includes intellectual disability but also includes other disabilities that become apparent during childhood. Developmental disabilities are severe chronic disabilities that can be cognitive or physical or both. The disabilities appear before the age of 22 and are likely to be lifelong. Some developmental disabilities are largely physical issues, such as cerebral palsy or epilepsy. Some individuals may have a condition that includes a physical and intellectual disability, for example, down syndrome or fetal alcohol syndrome.

Disorder is an abnormality or disturbance to the normal or regular functions in the body or a part of the body. For example, autism or down syndrome.

Intellectual disability (ID) is a type of development disability, characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior. This means an individual’s intellectual functioning might deter them from meeting with expectations of society, family and community and hamper the ease of daily living. However, there is great and often complicated variance within IDs. For example, some people with ID can live independently to a large extent, or with minimal effort. While people with severe ID will be completely dependent on an ecosystem or community or be institutionalised for the rest of their lives. Our involved approach helps us formulate paths towards improving the quality of life of such individuals depending on their own unique circumstances.

Condition & Abilities: Mental health disorders affect mood, thought processes or behavior and can manifest in anyone at any time of their life. It does not impact cognitive abilities, but can change a person's perceptions and thought processes and affect a person's everyday functioning and ability to relate to others. However, intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities, both fall under the umbrella term of developmental disabilities. These are chronic conditions that appear at birth, but certainly before the age of 22, and sometimes, but not always, occur together. IQ: IQ of the person with mental illness remains above average and unchanged. However, in order for someone to be diagnosed with an ID, the person must have a well below average IQ i.e. 70 or below 70, and have severe limitations on daily functioning skills, which include conceptual skills, social skills, and problem solving. Time period Mental illness is in many cases periodic. However, Developmental disabilities and ID are permanent in nature. Training and Therapies People with mental illness need mental health care, medical and psycho therapies. In general, they have no intellectual impairment and can live independently when their mental health problem is controlled. People with ID are not ill, unless they have a common illness. They need easy-to-understand information, education, training to live and be included in the society. Genetic Factors Mental illness can have genetic causes, but will in most cases start as a result of feelings of depression, anxiety, and confusion. On the other hand, ID can be caused by genetic factors, or by environmental factors, such as infections, or by a lack of oxygen supply to the brain during pregnancy or at birth.

As both the above-mentioned conditions are different in many aspects, similarities are not possible to figure out. However few similarities can be identified in the below mentioned areas: 1. Treatment - Sometimes people with mental illness and ID need medical interventions. 2. Therapies - Various types of therapies are required by all such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, art therapy etc. 3. Awareness - General population awareness is needed for both the conditions. 4. Barrier free environment - Must for safe accessibility. 5. Govt. schemes and benefits - Both the conditions fall under PWD act. 6. Social Inclusion - Very important for recovery in case of people with mental illness, and for people with ID. Cocial inclusion is important for improving skills in many domains such as social skills, generalization of learned skills

This is where an institution like FAME India really comes into the picture! Consistent management with training throughout their life and customized interventions depending on the severity can ensure an improved quality of life. Quality of Life for some can mean crossing a road independently, making a video call on WhatsApp, using technolgy, etc. DD is not ‘curable’, and therefore ensuring a good quality of life, of dignity and agency are essential to our ethos. Ageing brings its own set of challenges. Hence it is important to have an adaptable but long term approach with institutional support.

Our Lifespan Approach.

At Fame India, a life span approach means providing deep and holistic support to the person with DD & ID. The support starts from the age of 2 years and lasts till the age of 60 years. We also address the wellbeing of the families of the individual with disabilities in this lifespan approach journey. DDs must be viewed with a long term view. Traditionally we tend to look at education as a 20-year framework, we build on and adapt to the skills learned through these years. With age, comes different phases in life and our goal is to ensure a good quality of life through these changes. Puberty, for example, might be the time where an individual grapples with sexual maturity. In a society where such topics are taboo in many contexts, our job is to equip individuals and parents or caregivers to deal with these stages of life. Another example is adulthood, which might present new challenges when it comes to the physical body, co-morbidities and different psychological challenges that impede on one’s quality of life. At FAME India, with our knowledge of each individual, borne out by years of management, observation and consultation, we can provide the necessary interventions to ease these challenges. Hence, we believe the traditional approach is rather limiting and does not look at a more humane approach to individuals with DD. It is through tracking the progress of individuals, noticing changes and providing appropriate and customised interventions at the right time that we can guarantee a person’s well being and contentment. At FAME India, we look at providing care and support in a broader framework for life-time. We recognize that skills are needed to navigate through life with an improved quality. Our case stories bring out the efficacy of the lifespan approach in action.

We are always looking for people to jump on board and expand our capabilities! You can choose to volunteer at FAME India, we promise you a rich and rewarding experience. You can also choose to donate to us.

A significant part of your donations, 86% to be precise, go towards supporting individuals, families and the extended community of caregivers that we work with. When you donate to FAME India, you are helping our whole ecosystem thrive.