Intellectual Disability

Your client might present with deficits in intellectual functioning paired with deficits in adaptive functioning.

Intellectual functioning deficits include impairments in reasoning, problem-solving, planning, abstract thinking, judgment, academic learning, and experiential learning.

Whereas, adaptive functioning impairments consist of a failure to meet developmental milestones in terms of independence and responsibility to the extent of significant life impairment.

The symptoms of intellectual disability (ID) begin within the developmental period and typically delayed motor, language, and social milestones are the first symptoms to be identified within the first 2 years of life. There are four severity levels of Intellectual Disability including mild, moderate, severe, and profound.

ID is often associated with difficulties in social judgment, assessment of risk, self-management of behavior, emotions and interpersonal relationships, and motivation in school and work. Due to their limited communication skills, individuals with IDS may use aggressive or disruptive behaviors to communicate. Individuals with IDs also tend to be easily influenced by others making them prone to exploitation by others. Additionally, individuals with ID who have a co-occurring mental disorder are at an elevated risk for suicide.

Resources for Parents and Teachers

The following handouts provide resources that may be educational for parents and teachers

For educational information for parents of children with intellectual disabilities, click here.

To support your client with ID, you may wish to suggest:

Also: