Intellectual disability (ID), once called mental retardation, is characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for daily living. People with developmental disabilities can and do learn new skills, but they learn them very slowly. The term “mental retardation” is no longer used because it is offensive and has negative connotations.
What is an intellectual disability?
People with developmental disabilities have limitations in two areas. These areas are – Mental activity, also known as IQ, refers to a person’s ability to learn, reason, make decisions, and solve problems – and the other area is adaptive behavior. These are essential skills for everyday life, such as the ability to communicate effectively, relate to others, and take care of yourself.
Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is measured by an IQ test. The average IQ is 100 and most people score between 85 and 115. A person is considered intellectually disabled if their IQ is below 70-75.
To measure the child’s adaptive behavior, the expert observes the child’s abilities and compares them with other children of the same age. Things that can be monitored are how well a child can feed or dress; how well the child can communicate and understand others; and how the child interacts with family, friends, and other children of the same age.
Developmental disabilities are thought to affect about 1% of the population. 85 percent of those affected have a mild mental disability. This means that they learn new information or skills a little slower than average. With the right support, most can live independently as adults.
What are the signs of intellectual disabilities in children?
Children have many different signs of intellectual disability. Signs may appear in infancy or may not be noticed until the child reaches school age. It often depends on the severity of the injury.
Some of the more common signs of an intellectual disability include: spinning, sitting, crawling, slow walking slow speech, or difficulty speaking. Slow to learn things like potty training, dressing, and feeding Oneself; difficulty remembering things; ability to associate actions with consequences – and behavioral problems such as explosive tantrums, difficulty solving problems or thinking logically.
Children with severe or profound intellectual disability may have other health problems. These problems can include seizures, mood disorders (anxiety, autism, etc.), impaired motor skills, and visual or hearing problems.
Causes of Intellectual disability
Problems during childbirth: Developmental disabilities can occur if the baby does not receive oxygen during birth or is born very prematurely.
Illness or injury: Infections such as meningitis, whooping cough, or measles can cause mental retardation. It can also be caused by severe head injury, near drowning, extreme malnutrition, brain infections, exposure to toxic substances such as lead, and severe neglect or abuse. Two-thirds of all children with developmental disabilities have an unknown cause.
Can intellectual disabilities be prevented?
Some causes of intellectual disabilities are preventable. The most common among this is fetal alcohol syndrome. Pregnant women should not drink alcohol. Proper prenatal care, taking a prenatal vitamin, and getting vaccinated against certain infectious diseases can also reduce your baby’s risk of being born with a developmental disorder.
In families with a history of genetic disorders, genetic testing may be recommended before conception. Certain tests, such as ultrasounds and amniocentesis, may also be done during pregnancy to look for problems related to intellectual disabilities. Although these tests can detect problems before birth, they cannot fix them.
How is intellectual disability diagnosed?
Developmental disabilities can be suspected for many different reasons. If a child has physical abnormalities that indicate a genetic or metabolic disease, various tests may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. These include blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests to detect structural problems in the brain, or an electroencephalogram (EEG) to detect seizures. For children with developmental delays, the doctor performs tests to rule out other problems, such as hearing and some neurological disorders. If no other reason is found for the delay, the child is sent for official control. Three things influence the diagnosis of intellectual disability: interviews with parents, observation of the child, and testing of intelligence and adaptive behavior. A child is considered to be developmentally disabled if he/she has deficits in both IQ and adaptive behavior. If only one deficit is present, the child is not considered mentally disabled.
What services are available for people with developmental disabilities?
Early intervention programs are available for infants and toddlers. A team of professionals works with parents to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan or IFSP document. This document will inform you about your child’s special needs and what services will help your child succeed.
Early intervention may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, family counseling, education with special aids, or nutrition services.
What can I do to help my child with intellectual disabilities?
Steps to help a child with an intellectual disability include:
Learn all you can about intellectual disabilities.
The more you know, the better you can be your child’s advocate.
Encourage your child’s independence.
Let your child try new things and encourage him to do things himself.
Give guidance when needed and give positive feedback when your child does something well or learns something new.
Involve your child in group activities.
Taking an art class or participating in scouting activities will help your child develop social skills.
