Intellectual disability (ID), also known as general learning disability and mental retardation (MR), is a generalized neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significantly impaired intellectual and adaptive functioning.
In referring to people with disabilities, it is preferable to use language that focuses on their abilities rather than their disabilities. Therefore, the use of the terms "handicapped," "able-bodied," "physically challenged," and "differently abled" is discouraged.
Use the term “disability,” and take the following terms out of your vocabulary when talking about or talking to people with disabilities. Don't use the terms “handicapped,” “differently-abled,” “cripple,” “crippled,” “victim,” “retarded,” “stricken,” “poor,” “unfortunate,” or “special needs.”
Otherwise, the terms mental disability, intellectual disability and developmental disability are acceptable. See entry on mentally retarded/mentally disabled, intellectually disabled, developmentally disabled .
People with Down syndrome should always be referred to as people first. Instead of “a Down syndrome child,” it should be “a child with Down syndrome.” Also avoid “Down's child” and describing the condition as “Down's,” as in, “He has Down's.” Down syndrome is a condition or a syndrome, not a disease.
Use the term “disability,” and take the following terms out of your vocabulary when talking about or talking to people with disabilities. Don't use the terms “handicapped,” “differently-abled,” “cripple,” “crippled,” “victim,” “retarded,” “stricken,” “poor,” “unfortunate,” or “special needs.”
The two terms most commonly used to describe a person who has a limitation are "handicapped" and "disabled." The correct term is "disability"—a person with a disability. Person-first terminology is used because the person is more important than his or her disability.
Legal Definition of mental deficiency
: failure in intellectual development that is marked by low intelligence or mental retardation and that may result in an inability to function competently in society.Intellectual disability is not a disease and cannot be cured, however early diagnosis and ongoing interventions can improve adaptive functioning throughout one's childhood and into adulthood. With ongoing support and interventions, children with intellectual disability can learn to do many things.
Some of the most common known causes of intellectual disability – like Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, fragile X syndrome, genetic conditions, birth defects, and infections – happen before birth. Others happen while a baby is being born or soon after birth.
Down's syndrome is the most common specific cause of mental retardation, followed by the Fragile X syndrome, which mainly affects boys.
These conditions are now all called autism spectrum disorder. intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills. This disability originates before the age of 18.
An intellectual disability describes below-average IQ and a lack of skills needed for daily living. This condition used to be called “mental retardation.” A learning disability refers to weaknesses in certain academic skills. Reading, writing and math are the main ones.
Intellectual disability (or ID) is a term used when a person has certain limitations in cognitive functioning and skills, including communication, social and self-care skills. These limitations can cause a child to develop and learn more slowly or differently than a typically developing child.
Types of intellectual disabilities
- Fragile X syndrome. Fragile X syndrome is the most common known cause of an inherited intellectual disability worldwide.
- Down syndrome.
- Developmental delay.
- Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
Intellectual functioning, or IQ, is usually measured by a test called an IQ test. The average score is 100. People scoring below 70 to 75 are thought to have an intellectual disability. To measure adaptive behavior, professionals look at what a child can do in comparison to other children of his or her age.
Mental retardation comprises five general categories: borderline, mild, moderate, severe and profound.
The diagnosis is made based on the results of testing cognitive abilities (intelligence) and adaptive skills (how a child functions in everyday activities). A psychologist generally administers the cognitive testing. The psychologist or developmental pediatrician may also use a test to determine adaptive skills.
Another common cause of hereditary learning disabilities and mental retardation is fragile X syndrome. This syndrome is a genetic disorder that results in mental deficits, developmental and language delays, and behavioral problems. As many as 1 in 4000 males and 1 in 8000 females have this syndrome.
Mild mental retardation is defined as significantly subaverage intellectual ability, which ranges between 50–55 and 70, and concurrent delays in adaptive functioning that present prior to the age of 18.
Levels of Intellectual Disability
| Level | IQ Range |
|---|
| Mild | IQ 52–69 |
| Moderate | IQ 36–51 |
| Severe | IQ 20–35 |
| Profound | IQ 19 or below |
It isn't just that people can compensate for their low IQ with hard work. They can, but it's not just that. It's that IQ is a very noisy measure of all intellectual talents averaged together, and some people with unimpressive general IQs can still be extremely talented in particular fields.
Classifying Low IQ Scores
Scores below 85 are often classified in the following way: 1 to 24—Profound mental disability. 40 to 54—Moderate mental disability. 55 to 69—Mild mental disability. 70 to 79—Borderline mental disability.Yes, your IQ can change over time. But [IQ] tests give you the same answer to a very substantial extent, even over a period of year. The older you are, the more stable your test score will be. IQs are increasing three points per decade.
- SPEAK DIRECTLY. Use clear simple communications.
- OFFER TO SHAKE HANDS WHEN INTRODUCED.
- MAKE EYE CONTACT AND BE AWARE OF BODY LANGUAGE.
- LISTEN ATTENTIVELY.
- TREAT ADULTS AS ADULTS.
- DO NOT GIVE UNSOLICITED ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE.
- DO NOT BLAME THE PERSON.
- QUESTIONS THE ACCURACY OF THE MEDIA STEREOTYPES OF MENTAL ILLNESS.
If you have an IQ of at least 115, you can do any job
People with low and high IQ scores can work almost any job at almost any level. But it becomes increasingly difficult to perform well in very complex or fluid jobs (such as management in an ambiguous, changing, unpredictable fields) with a lower IQ.Like the general population after age 50, people with mental retardation, who do not have Down syndrome, experience a gradual decline in overall intellectual capacity, a decrease in their speed of recall, and slower general cognitive functioning.
Any score over 140 is considered a high IQ. A score over 160 is considered a genius IQ.
