Intellectual disability is characterized both by
a significantly below-average score on a test of mental ability or intelligence and
by limitations in the ability to function in areas of daily life, such as communication, self-care,
and getting along in social situations and school activities. Intellectual
disability is sometimes referred to as a cognitive
disability or mental retardation.
Children with intellectual disability can and do learn new skills, but they develop more slowly than children with average intelligence and adaptive skills. There are different degrees of
intellectual disability, ranging from mild to profound.
A person's level of intellectual disability can be defined by their intelligence quotient
(IQ), or by the types and amount of support they need.
People with intellectual disability may have other disabilities as well. Examples of these
coexisting conditions include cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, vision impairment, hearing loss, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD). Children with severe intellectual disability are more likely to have additional disabilities than are children with
mild Intellectual disability.
[Read more about developmental disabilities]
References
Batshaw ML. Children with disabilities (4th edition). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing
Co.; 1997.
Smith R (Editor). Children with mental retardation: a parents' guide. Rockville, MD: Woodbine
House; 1993.
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Date: October 29, 2005
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities