Intellectual Disability

intellectual disability

disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior and originates before the age of 22

intellectual functioning

refers to general mental capacity, such as learning, reasoning, problem solving, etc. one way to measure this is IQ (70 or below indicates a limitation)

adaptive behavior

 the collection of skills that are learned and performed by people in their everyday lives (conceptual, social, and practical skills)

conceptual skills

language and literacy; money, time, and number concepts; and self-direction

social skills

interpersonal skills, social responsibility, self-esteem, gullibility, naïveté (i.e., wariness), social problem solving, and the ability to follow rules/obey laws and to avoid being victimized.

practical skills

activities of daily living (personal care), occupational skills, healthcare, travel/transportation, schedules/routines, safety, use of money, use of the telephone.

causes of intellectual disability

genetic conditions, problems during pregnancy, problems at birth, health conditions

causes: genetic conditions

Sometimes an intellectual disability is caused by abnormal genes inherited from parents, errors when genes combine, or other reasons. Examples of genetic conditions are Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and phenylketonuria (PKU)

causes: problems during pregnancy

An intellectual disability can result when the baby does not develop inside the mother properly. A woman who drinks alcohol (fetal alcohol syndrome) or gets an infection like rubella during pregnancy may also have a baby with an intellectual disability.

causes: problems at birth

If a baby has problems during labor and birth, such as not getting enough oxygen, he or she may have an intellectual disability

causes: health conditions

Diseases like whooping cough, the measles, or meningitis can cause intellectual disabilities. They can also be caused by extreme malnutrition (not eating right), not getting enough medical care, or by being exposed to poisons like lead or mercury.

prevalence of intellectual disability

1-3% of population has one (most common developmental disability). 425,000 children receive special education services in public school under IDEA. 7% of kids who need these services have an intellectual disability

mild intellectual disability

IQ- 50-69

Accounts for 85% of those who are dx with ID

Will reach the intellectual age of 9-12 y/o

Common biological causes are genetic/chromosomal syndromes, perinatal complications, prenatal alcohol/drug exposure

moderate intellectual disability

IQ 35-49

10% of the ID population

Will reach the intellectual age of 6-9 y/o

severe intellectual disability

IQ 20-34

3-4% of ID population

Will reach intellectual age of 3-6 y/o

Common causes: Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

profound intellectual disability

IQ below 20

1-2% of ID population

May reach intellectual of 3 y/o or below

Usually accompanied by significant motor, communication and self-care deficits.

comorbid conditions (tend to occur alongside an intellectual disability, but not always)

obesity, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders

TR outcomes: conceptual skills

focus on improving or adapting skills in reading, writing, understanding concepts of money, time, etc.

TR outcomes: socialization skills

improve or find adapting skills in communication, manners, knowing the rules of conversation, getting along in a group, playing a game

TR outcomes: practical skills

improve or find adapting skills in transportation/navigation, community involvement, using money, schedules/routines, use of technology, etc.