Children with Intellectual Disabilities and Role of Public Sector Institutions: An Exploratory Study from District Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Intellectual disability is characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which are expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. The intellectual disability normally originates from the age of 18 years and restricted learning activity, including acute deficiency or restrictions in individual expertise in numerous fields such as cognitive, language, motor, psycho- social, and particular functioning of everyday living. People with intellectual disabilities have to face a lot of discrimination in Pakistan due to inadequate involvement of the public and private sectors. Keeping in consideration the importance and sensitive nature of the issue, the present exploratory study aims to understand the role of public sector institutions regarding children with intellectual disabilities in district Lahore. Primary data was collected through in-depth interviews with managers of different public sector institutions. The results presented through thematic analysis, and findings highlighted that several gaps existed in services, such as lack of proper mechanisms in the institutions, absence or pathetic check and balance, professional practitioners, training and guidelines, poor and inappropriate infrastructure, and limited participation in sports and extracurricular activities. The study strongly recommended that there should be a review and strict enforcement of policies, awareness among parents, and effective rehabilitation is necessary.