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