Adaptive Functioning and Full Potential

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Please respond to each post separately. At least a paragraph each. #1. Ones intellectual functioning is typically determined genetically meaning that they are either predisposed from birth to either have low or high potential intellectual functionality (Mash et al, n.d.). This can be exemplified when looking at individuals who are born with some form of a disability. Learning disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, or even developmental disorders such as Downs Syndrome can play a major role in helping to dictate whether or not an individuals intellectual functioning is high or low. Adaptive Functioning would be better described as the tools that an individual utilizes to improve their overall functionality. How an individual interacts with the community around them and uses their personal experiences and resources all ties into their adaptive functioning (Mash et al, n.d.). Adaptive functioning is very important to take into account when looking into how someone matures and grows into their full adulthood. Not everyone is born on an equal playing field and it is how we adapt to our scenarios that sets us apart from other species. How we utilize our resources to surmount our adversities really helps to establish our overall intellectual functionality. #2. “Adaptive functioning refers to how effectively individuals cope with ordinary life demands, and how capable they are of living independently and abiding by community standards (Mash & Wolfe, 2019. p. 126). Conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills are the three major aspects of adaptive functioning. It’s important for individuals to have these skills in order to live on their own. If one doesn’t know how to communicate, how will they ask for help if they need it? If one doesn’t know how to get or prepare food, how will they eat and keep a healthy lifestyle? There are a lot of skills and knowledge that is needed in order to live independently. It’s important to evaluate an individuals adaptive functioning skills in order to verify if they need help and assistance. If an individual is diagnosed with intellectual disability, it does not mean they will never be able to live independently. There are many factors that come into play. For instance the type of assistance they need in order to live independently, depends on their level of severity. There are four levels of severity for one with intellectual disability; mild, moderate, severe, and profound. If one is diagnosed with mild intellectual disability, they are typically able to live independently with appropriate support and/or supervision. For one with moderate intellectual disability, vocational, social, and occupational training a well ass supervision helps them live independently usually through community living. For those with severe intellectual disability, they require more close-knit supervision in either a community setting, group home, or with family. “Persons with profound intellectual disability require lifelong care and assistance” (Mash & Wolfe, 2019. p. 134).