Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in Ottoman Period

Individuals with intellectual disabilities has been existed throughout the history. They are diagnosed with different terms and got different implementations and cures while they have been a part of society. The Ottoman Empire reigned 700 years on Anatolia lands and influenced modern Turkey in many ways. This study aims to reveal the situation of individuals with intellectual disability in Ottoman era. In this direction, answers of “which institutions was serving for individuals with intellectual disabilities?”, “what were the cures and implementations for individuals with intellectual disabilities?”, “where was the place of individuals with intellectual disabilities in society” is investigated. Results showed individuals with intellectual disabilities got different cures and care based implementations instead of education and society welcomed them. Darussifas was shined out on institution provide service for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Most common cures and implementation were music therapy and herbal drugs special for individuals with intellectual disabilities. In the light of findings obtained it is thought that the individuals with intellectual disability found place in Ottoman society and didn’t have difficulty in joining the society. It takes attention that implementations performed in Ottoman Empire term were intended for cure and providing care for individuals with intelelctual disability, not educating them. Also classification efforts performed by Mukbilzade Mümin and Mehmet Sait are thought to be important for both Ottoman and western world in that term.

Keywords

intellectual disability, ottoman, history of disability, darussifa