Myth Busting: Happiness and People with IDD-MH

By Jill Hinton, PhD

At a National Center for START Services® staff meeting, we discussed some common myths we encounter in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health (IDD-MH). We made a list and we'll be busting each myth one at a time!

In the field of IDD-MH, myths can lead to or perpetuate discrimination, exclusion, and stigmatization. When we bust the myths, we remove false ideas, fears, and misunderstandings; we provide a new understanding of people with IDD-MH, we increase the capacity of communities; and we create opportunities for people with IDD-MH to thrive and live their best lives.

Myth: "People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are always happy." 

This is an old myth that certainly has been debunked. No one is always happy! Not only is it not true at face value, but inherent in its message is people with IDD are not able to experience a range of emotions. And this idea should also be dispelled. 

People with IDD certainly experience joy and happiness, as well as the entire gamut of emotions that all human beings experience. Emotions are universal and adaptive – we all experience feelings such as anger, disgust, surprise, fear, sadness, and happiness. Someone with IDD may be angry when they are not given a choice in where they live, may be sad when a friend moves away or their favorite teacher leaves, or may be afraid when someone new shows up to support them. When we fail to acknowledge these emotions, we are ignoring our shared humanity. 

The identification, regulation, and expression of these emotions may present differently in people with IDD due to differences in communication, social understanding, or executive functioning. The expression of emotion may show up in externalizing ways and lead to an over-focus on the presentation instead of understanding the emotion underneath. The acknowledgment and understanding that people with IDD are experiencing a wide range of emotions is key to providing the most appropriate support.  

While the ‘always happy’ myth should be discarded – we all have bad days and good days - people with IDD want and deserve to experience happiness in their lives. This is best achieved through opportunities to live whole lives in communities that acknowledge all people as emotional beings, provide emotional support, promote real reciprocal relationships, value meaningful involvement, and celebrate contributions of all people.