Intellectual disability is a condition in the general mental abilities with the capability of affecting intellectual and adaptive functioning. Intellectual integrity is a term that is currently used in place of mental retardation to describe a condition where the mind is arrested or incompletely developed. The skills of such an individual are impaired and can be detected at the development stage and affect the overall intelligence. People with intellectual disability show signs of limited ability to reason, problem-solving issues, inability to think abstractly, learn quickly, comprehend complex ideas as well as learning from experience. The American Association on intellectual and developmental disability identifies the condition as having significant intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior limitation as shown in the social, conceptual and practical adaptive skills.
Causes of Intellectual Disability
Different causes can lead to intellectual disabilities. Some of the common causes include chromosomal abnormality, genetic conditions, and problems at birth or during pregnancy and poverty-related issues. Some of the genetic conditions that can cause intellectual disability include down syndrome and fragile X syndrome. Illnesses like a whooping cough, meningitis or measles can also lead to the condition. Another cause is head trauma at childhood or exposure to toxins like lead and mercury. Brain malformation, environmental influences, and maternal diseases, labor and delivery related issue and infection during delivery can also increase the chance of developing the condition.
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Assessment Tree Distinct Criteria
The determination of whether an individual has an intellectual disability involves complex decisions that use information on the current functioning and adaptive behavior. some of the limitations associated with the condition like communication, personal care, home life, social skills, utilization of the community, self-governance, health and safety, functional academic skills leisure time and work must be determined during the assessment. A conceptual dimension that includes intellectual aptitude, adaptation level, participation, interaction and social roles, health, and social context can be developed for the assessment. Intellectual disability should then be classified according to the age group and the degree of severity which can be mild, moderate or severe.
The physician can perform IQ adaptive behavior test to assess the condition using standardized testing that can be used as part of the diagnosis. An IQ score of 70-75 following a full-scale test can indicate a substantial limitation in the functioning of an individual. A norm-referenced standardized assessment should also be performed with the intention of comparing and ranking individuals with the condition thus determining whether one performs better or worse than an averaged hypothetical score. The age of the onset should also be determined to understand the possible causes and the most likely way of addressing the condition.
Various assignments can be performed including head staff stimulation programs self-help skills, stimulation programs, social skills, motor skills, inclusion, and inclusion. Early intervention can prove to be useful in dealing with the condition. Similarly, the family can have an individualized family service plan. Children can also be given specialized education in addition to the individualized education program.
Infant Stimulation Programs
Young children that show signs of intellectual disability should be taken through an infant stimulation program. The process involves the provision of supplemental sensory stimulation that covers visual, auditory, vestibular, olfactory, tactile and gustatory. Supplemental stimulation is used to compensate for the lack of environmental or normal sensory stimulation. The aim is to enhance self-help skills, academic skills, social, communication and motor skills of an infant who exhibits a deficiency in some or all of these skills. The aim is to enhance the conceptual and adaptive functioning and to deal with the signs shown by an infant at an early stage thus addressing intellectual disability at an early stage.
