Well, while I have worked in the field for decades and have many friends with intellectual disabilities, I am not a special educator. In general, I think they continue to work on whatever skills they can so that the person can become more independent, even if that's measured in tiny ways. And it is much, much cheaper than institutionalization and better for the community all around.
An example from my own experience - I have worked with a 25 year old with Down syndrome since he was 3. Some folks would look at him and say, he can't read, he can barely write his first name after staying in school until he was 22. But guess what? He has a job he loves, he volunteers at several different places, he goes to spin class, water aerobics and basketball every week and has two seasons of baseball every year. He's a productive member of our community. And yes, tax payer money provides the supports he needs to be included in the community, but he is worth it (as is Aleah), and it is still less than half the cost of institutionalization.
