Intellectual Disability Paper

Developmental disabilities include epilepsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, cerebral palsy, and any other disorder occurring during the developmental period, in addition to intellectual impairment. These developmental disability syndromes are commonly associated with intellectual impairment. Also known as intellectual disability, intellectual impairment is characterized by severe cognitive deficits, generally relating to thought processes (FAQs on Intellectual Disability, 2013). Approximately 50% of individuals diagnosed with intellectual impairment also meet the definitional criteria of having a developmental disability. However, distinguishing differences between intellectual impairment and developmental disability include age of onset, limitation severity, and presence or absence of a low IQ. Individuals with a developmental disability are diagnosed before age 22, and they may or may not have a low IQ. However, individuals with an intellectual impairment have an onset before age 18, with the presence of a low IQ (FAQs on Intellectual Disability,
Intellectual functioning can be assessed with an IQ test. Limitations in intellectual functioning are indicated with an IQ score of around 70 to 75. Adaptive behavior limitations are determined through tests that assess conceptual skills, social skills, and practical skills (FA Qs on Intellectual Disability, 2013). Severity of intellectual impairment can vary, as with most disorders. The range of abilities, therefore, the lifestyle effects of having an intellectual impairment, vary as well. Children with intellectual impairment may show severe milestone delays in areas such as speech, mobility, activities of daily living (ADL), eating, and learning (Intellectual Disability,