Intellectual Development Disability
Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are disorders that are usually present
at birth and that negatively affect the trajectory of the individual’s physical, intellectual,
and/or emotional development.
Many of these conditions affect multiple body parts or systems.
Intellectual disability starts any time before a child turns 18 and is characterized by
problems with both:
Intellectual functioning or intelligence, which include the ability to learn, reason,
problem solve, and other skills; and Adaptive behavior, which includes everyday social
and life skills.
Mentally or developmentally challenged
The presence of sub average general intellectual functioning (an IQ of approximately 70
or below) associated with or resulting in impairments in adaptive skills.
It occurs twice frequently in male as in female children.
They experience or exhibit significant limitations in at least 2 of the following skill areas:
communication, self-care, home living, social/ interpersonal skills, use of community
resources, self-direction, functional academic skills, work, leisure, health and safety
Associated features include irritability, aggressiveness, temper tantrums, stereotyped
repetitive movements, nail biting, and stuttering.
It is not a disease
It is not synonymous to mental illness.
There is no cure for IDD; however, most children with these disorders can learn to do
many things
According to American Association of Mental Deficiency stressed that IDD is the deficit
in adaptive behavior along with intellectual impairment.
Etiology
Genetic conditions: sometimes caused by abnormal genes inherited from parents,
errors when genes combine, or other reasons.
Down syndrome
Fragile X syndrome- genetic abnormality
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Problems during pregnancy: can result when the baby does not develop inside the
mother properly.
There may be problems with the way the baby’s cell divide as it grows.
A woman who drinks alcohol or gets an infection like rubella during pregnancy.
Preeclampsia, drug abuse
Problems at birth: if baby has problems during labor and birth, such as not getting
enough oxygen.
Injury to the brain suffered during pre-peri and post-natal period
Cranial malformations such as micro-macro Cephalus
Health problems: diseases like whooping cough, measles, and meningitis, malnutrition,
not getting enough medical care.
Severe neglect or abuse
Exposure to poisons like lead and mercury
Environmental factors: poverty
Severity/ degrees
Individuals with ID typically has intellectual functioning that is significantly below
average, an IQ score of around 70 to 75 or lower, and deficits in conceptual, social and
practical skills.
The severity of the intellectual deficit is classified as mild, moderate, severe and
profound.
These levels of severity are not based upon IQ but by evaluating the individual’s ability
to perform day-to-day life skills and activities, as this is what determines how much
support the individual needs.
, Mild
I.Q. 55 to 70
None in early childhood
Can achieve a mental age of 8 to 12 years old
Sixth grade level by late teens
Difficulty adapting to school
May need assistance when experiencing social or academic stress
85% of all persons with IDD
Can achieve social and vocational skills for minimum self-support
“educable”- can acquire academic skills up to approximately sixth grade level.
Can read, write or do arithmetic
Moderate
I.Q. 35 to 55
Poor awareness of the needs of others
Usually no progression beyond second grade level.
Need moderate supervision due to self-care deficit.
Require supervision and guidance under mild social or economic stress
10% of all persons with IDD
May profit from vocational training
Can function in sheltered workshops as unskilled or semi-skilled persons.
Can achieve a mental age of 3 to 7 yrs. Old.
“trainable”
Offer simple, repetitive tasks because it facilitates learning.
Severe
I.Q. 25 t0 35
Poor motor development and minimal speech.
Unable to learn academic skills but may learn to talk and be trained in elementary
hygiene skills or activities of daily living.
Require complete supervision in a controlled environment.
Can achieve a mental age of 0 to 2 years old.
3% To 4% of all persons with IDD
May learn to perform simple work tasks.
Profound
I.Q. below 20 0r 25
Minimal capacity for sensorimotor functioning.
Require total nursing care and highly structured environment with supervision due to
self-care deficit.
1% to 2% of all persons with IDD
“custodial”- requires total care.
May attain a mental age of young infant
Does not relate with peers; more secure with adults
Comforted by physical touch
May repeat words
Short attention span but usually attracted to music
Signs of IDD
Sit up, crawl, or walk later than other children.
Learn to talk later, or have trouble speaking.
Find it hard to remember things.
Not understand how to pay for things
Have trouble understanding social rules.
Have trouble seeing the consequences of their actions.
Have trouble solving problems.
Have trouble thinking logically
Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are disorders that are usually present
at birth and that negatively affect the trajectory of the individual’s physical, intellectual,
and/or emotional development.
Many of these conditions affect multiple body parts or systems.
Intellectual disability starts any time before a child turns 18 and is characterized by
problems with both:
Intellectual functioning or intelligence, which include the ability to learn, reason,
problem solve, and other skills; and Adaptive behavior, which includes everyday social
and life skills.
Mentally or developmentally challenged
The presence of sub average general intellectual functioning (an IQ of approximately 70
or below) associated with or resulting in impairments in adaptive skills.
It occurs twice frequently in male as in female children.
They experience or exhibit significant limitations in at least 2 of the following skill areas:
communication, self-care, home living, social/ interpersonal skills, use of community
resources, self-direction, functional academic skills, work, leisure, health and safety
Associated features include irritability, aggressiveness, temper tantrums, stereotyped
repetitive movements, nail biting, and stuttering.
It is not a disease
It is not synonymous to mental illness.
There is no cure for IDD; however, most children with these disorders can learn to do
many things
According to American Association of Mental Deficiency stressed that IDD is the deficit
in adaptive behavior along with intellectual impairment.
Etiology
Genetic conditions: sometimes caused by abnormal genes inherited from parents,
errors when genes combine, or other reasons.
Down syndrome
Fragile X syndrome- genetic abnormality
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Problems during pregnancy: can result when the baby does not develop inside the
mother properly.
There may be problems with the way the baby’s cell divide as it grows.
A woman who drinks alcohol or gets an infection like rubella during pregnancy.
Preeclampsia, drug abuse
Problems at birth: if baby has problems during labor and birth, such as not getting
enough oxygen.
Injury to the brain suffered during pre-peri and post-natal period
Cranial malformations such as micro-macro Cephalus
Health problems: diseases like whooping cough, measles, and meningitis, malnutrition,
not getting enough medical care.
Severe neglect or abuse
Exposure to poisons like lead and mercury
Environmental factors: poverty
Severity/ degrees
Individuals with ID typically has intellectual functioning that is significantly below
average, an IQ score of around 70 to 75 or lower, and deficits in conceptual, social and
practical skills.
The severity of the intellectual deficit is classified as mild, moderate, severe and
profound.
These levels of severity are not based upon IQ but by evaluating the individual’s ability
to perform day-to-day life skills and activities, as this is what determines how much
support the individual needs.
, Mild
I.Q. 55 to 70
None in early childhood
Can achieve a mental age of 8 to 12 years old
Sixth grade level by late teens
Difficulty adapting to school
May need assistance when experiencing social or academic stress
85% of all persons with IDD
Can achieve social and vocational skills for minimum self-support
“educable”- can acquire academic skills up to approximately sixth grade level.
Can read, write or do arithmetic
Moderate
I.Q. 35 to 55
Poor awareness of the needs of others
Usually no progression beyond second grade level.
Need moderate supervision due to self-care deficit.
Require supervision and guidance under mild social or economic stress
10% of all persons with IDD
May profit from vocational training
Can function in sheltered workshops as unskilled or semi-skilled persons.
Can achieve a mental age of 3 to 7 yrs. Old.
“trainable”
Offer simple, repetitive tasks because it facilitates learning.
Severe
I.Q. 25 t0 35
Poor motor development and minimal speech.
Unable to learn academic skills but may learn to talk and be trained in elementary
hygiene skills or activities of daily living.
Require complete supervision in a controlled environment.
Can achieve a mental age of 0 to 2 years old.
3% To 4% of all persons with IDD
May learn to perform simple work tasks.
Profound
I.Q. below 20 0r 25
Minimal capacity for sensorimotor functioning.
Require total nursing care and highly structured environment with supervision due to
self-care deficit.
1% to 2% of all persons with IDD
“custodial”- requires total care.
May attain a mental age of young infant
Does not relate with peers; more secure with adults
Comforted by physical touch
May repeat words
Short attention span but usually attracted to music
Signs of IDD
Sit up, crawl, or walk later than other children.
Learn to talk later, or have trouble speaking.
Find it hard to remember things.
Not understand how to pay for things
Have trouble understanding social rules.
Have trouble seeing the consequences of their actions.
Have trouble solving problems.
Have trouble thinking logically
