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.
Historically, intellectual disability (previously termed “mental retardation”) has been defined by significant cognitive deficits—which has been established through a standardized measure of intelligence, in particular, with an IQ score of below 70 (two standard deviations below the mean of 100 in the population)—and ...
Scores were reported as “mental age” divided by chronological age, multiplied by 100. The current version of the IQ test is standardized, and two standard deviations below the test taker's group calculate as an IQ of 70. An IQ of 70 or below suggests an intellectual disability diagnosis.
Intellectual disabilities are considered 'mild' or ineligible for funding, if they are debilitating or if the person with an intellectual disability scores an intelligence quotient (IQ) of 70 IQ points or higher.
An intellectual disability is not the same as a learning disability. An intellectual disability refers to when somebody has a developmental disorder (ie. autism), whereas a learning disability refers to when a person has difficulty learning in specific academic areas (ie. dyslexia).
Intellectual disability (ID), once called mental retardation, is characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for day-to-day living. People with intellectual disabilities can and do learn new skills, but they learn them more slowly.
What Is an Intellectual Disability? Intellectual disability (or ID) is a term used when a person has certain limitations in cognitive functioning and skills, including conceptual, social and practical skills, such as language, social and self-care skills.
A diagnosis can help people access government services like the NDIS and the Disability Support Pension. For example, people with an IQ of less than 70 are automatically eligible for the Disability Support Pension. Sometimes intellectual disability goes undiagnosed in childhood.
Mild intellectual disability
This is generally someone with an IQ between 50 and 70. They may be able to learn to read and write, live and travel independently and have a job. Many people with mild intellectual disability will get married and have long-term partners.
Persons with a mild intellectual disability (MID; intelligence quotient (IQ) range 50–69) or borderline intellectual functioning (BIF; IQ range 70–85) are vulnerable for problems in different domains.
Diagnosing Intellectual Disability
While a specific full-scale IQ test score is no longer required for diagnosis, standardized testing is used as part of diagnosing the condition. A full-scale IQ score of around 70 to 75 indicates a significant limitation in intellectual functioning.
IQ cutoffs for mental retardation in DSM-IV were: mild (IQ 50-55 to ~70), moderate (IQ 35-40 to 50-55), severe (IQ 20-25 to 35-40), and profound (IQ < 20-25).
Borderline intellectual functioning, previously called borderline mental retardation (in the ICD-8), is a categorization of intelligence wherein a person has below average cognitive ability (generally an IQ of 70–85), but the deficit is not as severe as intellectual disability (below 70).
In general, people with intellectual disabilities have an IQ below 70, but clinical discretion may be necessary for individuals who have a somewhat higher IQ but severe impairment in adaptive functioning.
85 to 114: Average intelligence. 115 to 129: Above average or bright. 130 to 144: Moderately gifted. 145 to 159: Highly gifted.
With mild impairment, people may begin to notice changes in cognitive functions, but still be able to do their everyday activities. An individual may be eligible to become a participant of the NDIS where cognitive impairment affects their ability to participate at home, at school, at work and/or in social situations.
Talk to your child and family health nurse, teacher, family doctor or paediatrician. Intellectual disability is diagnosed using formal tests with your child. This is normally done by a school counsellor or a psychologist. They will gather information from parents, childcare or school teachers, therapists and doctors.
The Centers for Disease Control considers ADHD to be a developmental disability. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke does not consider ADHD to be a learning disability. It may be possible to receive disability benefits if you or your child has ADHD.
It is a myth that all autistic people have an intellectual disability. The truth is that 2/3 of people on the spectrum have average or above-average IQs.
The assessment of intelligence across three domains (conceptual, social, and practical) will ensure that clinicians base their diagnosis on the impact of the deficit in general mental abilities on functioning needed for everyday life.
Fragile X Syndrome is the most prevalent form of inherited developmental and intellectual disability. This genetic disorder results from a change or mutation in the X chromosome. The disability affects the development of a person, more so in the areas of learning and behavior.
Whereas ID is associated with general deficits across developmental domains, ASD is in fact defined by the observation that social communication deficits are particularly impairing.