Perspectives of intellectual disability in Greece: epidemiology, policy, services for children and adults.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to investigate the existing situation regarding how people with intellectual disability are treated in contemporary Greece. RECENT FINDINGS: The legal rights of people with intellectual disability are fully protected. Steady improvement of special education, along with development of educational services. Greater access of people with intellectual disability is being developed. There is, however, a lack of specialized health services. A relatively adequate social and financial support of families of individuals with severe intellectual disability. There is very limited access to employment for people with intellectual disability. Lack of rigorous research and representative studies on intellectual disability and insufficient epidemiological data. SUMMARY: The main conclusion of this review is that, since 1980, the situation of people with intellectual disability has been steadily improving in the areas of civil rights, social support, special education, and use of health services. However, the deficiency of official national data on intellectual disability does not allow a complete and documented evaluation of the situation in the country. Furthermore, the lack of epidemiological data undermines the development and establishment of evidence-based public policies.