Intellectual Disabilities

Intellectual Disabilities

Intellectual Disability (ID) defined: 

• Limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. Diagnosed before age 18, standardized assessments. 

How ID is defined for intellectual functioning: 

• Ability to reason, plan, problem solve and think abstractly. Need to be 2 standard deviations below the mean for IQ. 

How ID is defined for adaptive behavior:

•  Delay in adaptive behavior, learned conceptual skills, social skills needed for everyday functioning.

6 symptoms of ID: 

• Gross, fine motor, language, memory, poor awareness of social rules, issues with problem solving. 

ID mild defined:  

• Difficulty with academic skills, abstract thinking, executive functioning, short term memory, emotional regulation, can perform basic ADLS and possibly work.

ID moderate defined: 

• significant difficulty with academic skills, abstract thinking, executive functioning, short term memory, emotional regulation. Need assistance with some ADLS and vocational skills. 

ID severe defined: 

• Only understand simple speech, gestures, limited conceptual skills, language= simple phrases only, need assist for all ADLS.

ID profound defined:

•  Loss of function, minimal understanding, enjoy established relationships, basic recreational activities, dependent for all ADLs, co-occurring motor/sensory issues is common. 

Comorbidities of ID: ADHD, depression, bipolar, anxiety, ASD, CP, Epilepsy, Mental illness

Medical management of ID: 

• No surgical or drug treatment used directly for ID treatment. 

• Medications used to treat co-occurring conditions, such as seizures. 

3 common issues with individuals with Down’s syndrome and ID: 

• Issues around muscle tone (low tone)

• Comorbidities such as cardiac issues 

• Hearing loss (as much as 75%)

Common OT interventions for ID: 

• Fine and gross motor skills, handwriting, sensory processing, core/muscle tone management, academic adaptation/strategies.