Having a child with intellectual disability is often associated with feelings of shame and embarrassment, and even in contemporary Ethiopian society misconceptions exist, such as this being a punishment from God. The child can often be viewed as a financial burden for families, many of whom are already financially deprived. Usually, families prefer to keep this kind of children hidden behind doors due to fear of the social stigma attached to it.In view of this, parents of children with intellectual disability and other interested individuals came together and established an association with the name Ethiopian National Association on Intellectual Disabilities.
