A snapshot of intellectual disabilities in Lao PDR: Challenges for the development of services

Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) has experienced significant economic growth in the last two decades. While access to education, health, and employment for people with disabilities has also improved markedly, people with intellectual disabilities are still among the most vulnerable in soc...

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Main Authors: Thoresen, Stian, Fielding, Angela, Gillieatt, Sue, Blundell, Barbara, Nguyen, Liem
Format: Journal Article
Published: 2017
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/56658
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author Thoresen, Stian
Fielding, Angela
Gillieatt, Sue
Blundell, Barbara
Nguyen, Liem
author_facet Thoresen, Stian
Fielding, Angela
Gillieatt, Sue
Blundell, Barbara
Nguyen, Liem
author_sort Thoresen, Stian
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) has experienced significant economic growth in the last two decades. While access to education, health, and employment for people with disabilities has also improved markedly, people with intellectual disabilities are still among the most vulnerable in society. This article presents findings from a screening survey of 2469 participants, a focus group discussion with key stakeholders in intellectual disabilities, and a case study of the Association for Autism. The screening survey suggests 1.9% of working age participants (18-59) and 0.7% of children (6-17) have intellectual disabilities. The qualitative data illustrate poor understanding and stigmatization of people with intellectual disabilities, lack of services, and development of a parent association to improve the life prospects for children with autism and intellectual disabilities. People with intellectual disabilities in Lao PDR remain particularly vulnerable. Parents and other disability advocates are raising awareness and demonstrating the effectiveness of specialized services.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-566582017-10-03T07:49:45Z A snapshot of intellectual disabilities in Lao PDR: Challenges for the development of services Thoresen, Stian Fielding, Angela Gillieatt, Sue Blundell, Barbara Nguyen, Liem Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) has experienced significant economic growth in the last two decades. While access to education, health, and employment for people with disabilities has also improved markedly, people with intellectual disabilities are still among the most vulnerable in society. This article presents findings from a screening survey of 2469 participants, a focus group discussion with key stakeholders in intellectual disabilities, and a case study of the Association for Autism. The screening survey suggests 1.9% of working age participants (18-59) and 0.7% of children (6-17) have intellectual disabilities. The qualitative data illustrate poor understanding and stigmatization of people with intellectual disabilities, lack of services, and development of a parent association to improve the life prospects for children with autism and intellectual disabilities. People with intellectual disabilities in Lao PDR remain particularly vulnerable. Parents and other disability advocates are raising awareness and demonstrating the effectiveness of specialized services. 2017 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/56658 10.1177/1744629517704535 fulltext
spellingShingle Thoresen, Stian
Fielding, Angela
Gillieatt, Sue
Blundell, Barbara
Nguyen, Liem
A snapshot of intellectual disabilities in Lao PDR: Challenges for the development of services
title A snapshot of intellectual disabilities in Lao PDR: Challenges for the development of services
title_full A snapshot of intellectual disabilities in Lao PDR: Challenges for the development of services
title_fullStr A snapshot of intellectual disabilities in Lao PDR: Challenges for the development of services
title_full_unstemmed A snapshot of intellectual disabilities in Lao PDR: Challenges for the development of services
title_short A snapshot of intellectual disabilities in Lao PDR: Challenges for the development of services
title_sort snapshot of intellectual disabilities in lao pdr: challenges for the development of services
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/56658