Project Work 2011 A Report on Intellectually Disabled- Special Needs Done By: Tan Pin Zhen Trevor Tan

Rickson Hu Ryan Ong Tay Jun Heng Teacher- Mentor: Mr Daniel Yong

Class: 2-4

Date: 17/07/2011

Acknowledgements:
Firstly, I would like to thank our schoolmates in Catholic High School. For if it were not for them, I believe, no, know that all the blood, sweat and tears, all the tedious and arduous weeks of researching and planning, would literally crumble to nothing. Why? They were the ones to receive our articles, they were the ones we had tried to reach out to and to educate them further, they were the ones who helped bring this project of ours to life. Secondly, I would like to thank my form teachers, Mr. Chris Teng and Mr. Sun. Their guidance is invaluable, without it, I dread to ponder over what might have happened with this project. They have given much encouragement to my group and I, encouragement that was extremely essential when we did not want to continue, when we were down in the dumps and just needed a word of encouragement, they gave it. I cannot express my gratitude but, I hope that you understand how much you have helped us, with your humor and good-natured self. Thanks. Thirdly, I would like to thank my group mates, who had gone through this ordeal with me, this ordeal that had made us fret for days, even weeks, yet, they never gave up. They believed in themselves, had faith that nothing is too big to solve. They stuck by me, even with through my ridiculous whims, I appreciate that. Truly, they were excellent. Some of us had feuds, some found others utterly despicable and detestable but, they had put their differences aside, had forgotten about past arguments to do this. If I could turn back the clock, I would still wish for them to be my group members for this project. It would be a crime not to have them. Even after much time has passed, I still think of them as the best group I could ever have. Lastly, I would like to show my appreciation and thanks to our teacher mentor, Mr. Daniel Yong, to whom has helped us countless of times. He picked us up when we hit an encumbrance. We had faced many obstacles, much time had gone down the drain, yet, though hope seemed bleak, Mr. Yong would encourage us, would inspire us to do better. When we could not find a solution to a hindrance, he would be there with one. When we lost heart, he would push us; push us to strive to do better. He taught us many things; one that would be etched in my brain forever is the value of perseverance. He would always remind us to NEVER GIVE UP. As the saying goes, when there is a will, there is a way. We could not have asked for a better teacher mentor, thank you Mr. Yong.

Summary:
This study was done so as to: y y Investigate the number of people with mental disorders globally as well as locally. Examine their ability to cope in this fast-paced society of ours. Mental Disability can be classified under: (According to hospitals) y y y y y y Anxiety disorder* ( Generalized Anxiety Disorder) Bipolar disorder* (Depression) Development disorder* (autism) Eating disorder* (anorexia nervosa) Psychological disorder* ( Body Dysmorphic disorder) Dissociative Identity Disorder*(DID) (schizophrenia) This study was requested by: y Mr. Daniel Yong ( our teacher mentor) on 15/01/2011 This investigation was done by: y y y y y Tan Sin Leong Trevor Ryan Ong Rickson Hu Tan Pin Zhen Tay Jun Heng Our main findings were that: y y y y y y y y y In Chicago alone, there are 3 million working adults with severe mental disability In every 10000 people, an approximate number of two to five people may have autism The number of people having autism may increase with the aid of other developmental disorders. Conversion disorder happens in every three people out of ten thousand people. There are about one million employed adults in Chicago. 52% of employed adults with mental disorders are still working after a year. 70% of employers who hire adults with mental disability would like to continue working with them. The most common mental disability in all Singaporeans is Schizophrenic Disorder. There are 34,988 outpatients to the Institute of Mental Health in the year 2010.

y y

Depression affects 121 million people worldwide and by the year 2020, it will be the second most common global disability. Schizophrenia affects 24 million worldwide and that many do not receive adequate treatment. It was concluded that:

y y y y

Many people have mental disabilities. Employers are generally happy working with people having mental disorders. Most people with mental disabilities are able to work and cope as well as an average person. Depression is the most common mental disability. Recommendations:

y y

We recommend that more people should be open to hiring employees with mental disabilities. We recommend that people with mental disability to be given adequate treatment.

Table of Contents:
Page 2 Acknowledgements

Page 3 - 4

Summary

Page 6-7

List of figures and tables

Page 8

Methodology

Page 9

Findings

Page 10

Bibliography

Page 11

Literature Review

Page 12

Recommendations

Page 13

Conclusion

Page 14

Reflections

List of tables and figures: In pie-chart format.

Chicago Population
1st Qtr
People Without Mental disability

3 million people

9.5millionpeople
2nd Qtr
People With Mental Disability

Number of employed mentally disabled people

1st Qtr
Employed mentally disabled people

1 000 000 employed 2 000 000 unemployed

2nd Qtr
Unemploye d Mentally disabled people

Percentage of employers happy with 1st their employees with mental Qtr disorder(s).
Happy employers

30% 70%

2nd Qtr
Unhappy employers

Methodology:
We had given two articles, in our Mother Tongue and in English, on our views on the intellectually disabled people, to our schoolmates who would read them thoroughly and zestfully before we had asked them for their generous feedback. This was done on the thirteenth of July, a Friday. Of all the students in Catholic High, the ones who had received these articles were mainly the Secondary fours as well as the secondary twos. Not all of these students were interviewed, only several were, owing to the time constraint and the inadequate manpower. These figures were then analysed using a pie-chart. The reason for using this method to obtain our results was the fact that this was very convenient and would efficiently produce our results hastily. Unlike some other people, we prefer a simpler approach that does not make use of any jargon whatsoever, us liking the layman terms that is more accommodating and favorable to most. Also, the pie-chart diagram is wellknown to most, making it much easier when showing the evidence of our results. The results had showed that most of these students were generally happy with the article, are now able to empathise with the intellectually disabled and to wish them happiness. They now know that these people with mental disabilities are much like us, very much alike, and they now appreciate these people for who they are.

Findings:
In general, our findings indicate that many people are contented with working with people who have mental disabilities. This can be seen from the fact that 70% of employers wish to continue working with employees who have mental disabilities. Also, mentally disabled people are able to work efficiently, there being an approximate 52 percent of working adults who have mental disabilities still working for their current employers. This was our major finding as this has met our goal, that at least half of the working population who has mental disabilities are able to work efficiently. Lastly, we had not expected a whopping number of a million employees with mental disabilities. Frankly speaking, though there were 3 million adults who have mental disabilities in Chicago, it had never crossed our minds that there would be such a colossal figure. This shows that contrary to popular belief, people with mental disabilities are still able to work efficiently.

Bibliography:
World Federation for Mental Health (2010). International Perspectives on Depression for People Living with Depression and Their Families DEPRESSION: What You Know Can Help You. http://www.wfmh.org/. July 13, 2011. Davidson, A.M., Tish (2008). Anorexia nervosa. 20080101.

<http://searcheresources.nlb.gov.sg/V/NDJHLSGVLVJSIAI9KEPNE5V2GQN36996ME1AGX
VK688E6ESKNC09145?func=quick3&shortformat=002&set_number=004188&set_entry=0000 01&format=999>. July fourth, 2011.

Davidson, A.M., Tish (2008). Bulimia nervosa. 20080101. http://searcheresources.nlb.gov.sg/V/NDJHLSGVLVJSIAI9KEPNE5V2GQN36996ME1 AGXVK688E6ESKNC-10624?func=quick-3-next&set-entry=000012. July fourth, 2011. Davidson, A.M., Tish (2008). Eating disorders. 20080101.

http://searcheresources.nlb.gov.sg/V/DI3YM6E9N15DVBEU8VFCBDAVUXMA7KEX8X6CQ CFHPLDPQ99758-07335?func=quick-3&shortformat=002&set_number=002152&set_entry=000020&format=999. July fourth, 2011.

Literature review:
This study of the employment rate of intellectually disabled people has been commented on by Jonas Ru kus (2008), Mental Health Association of New Jersey (2006) and they all have in agreement is the fact that the main reason for most of the unemployment by many employers who have cited reasons like not making enough money and a lack of meaningful work-related activities. This is the reason for our conducting this research as well as doing our community involvement project on this topic since many are prejudiced against this group of people who have special needs. We need to reach out to more people, to convince them.

Recommendations:
In the light of these problems, I believe that to solve this problem, the government, schools, parents and we all have a part to play in solving this. As they say, Rome was not built in a day, but, with these solutions, I believe this problem of intellectually disabled people being discriminated can be solved. I believe that firstly, the government should actually spread the message that these people with special needs should not be judged based on their mental capacity. Also, people should not be prejudiced against them, thinking that they have an inability to be as efficient in working as compared to average people. If the government could put up more posters, show more clips portraying these people in a normal working environment and how they are able to cope. Next, I feel that schools should not entirely focus on the results of the students and how academically-inclined their students are but also, concentrating on the values learnt by these students, like selflessness and to treat everyone with respect and equality. Thirdly, I feel that parents should also not think too much of their childrens results and also consider teaching them values like what I have mentioned earlier in the previous paragraph. Lastly, I feel that we should our prejudice against these special people.

Conclusion:
The main conclusion that can be drawn from this investigation is that these intellectually disabled people are able to work just as efficiently as an average person. This can be seen from the fact that 70% of employers in Chicago are satisfied with the work done by these people with special needs. Not only that, but most employers who have employed these people feel that they want to continue employing these people. It is recommended to educate the people of this generation from young, that intellectually disabled people are able to work as efficiently as an average person, allowing there to be little prejudice against these people with special needs.