Intellectual Disability

Intellectual Disability involves a wide range of symptoms and severities which means that every person will present differently.

Symptoms of cognitive functioning can include difficulties with:

• Learning

• Reasoning

• Attention

• Problem solving

• Memory

• Planning

• Judgement

• Managing emotions

Symptoms of adaptive functioning can include difficulties with:

• Dressing

• Eating

• Talking

• Using the toilet

• Telling the time

• Handling money

There are many different causes for Intellectual Disability, these include:

• Genetics

• Complications during pregnancy

• Problems at birth, such as not getting enough oxygen

• Having an illness, such as meningitis

• Head trauma

• Brain malformation

• Overuse of alcohol and/or drugs

Intellectual Disability can be diagnosed by either a:

• Psychiatrist,

• Psychologist,

Who will do tests of intelligence and adaptive functioning, observations, and interviews with the person.  

To meet the criteria for an Intellectual Disability, health professionals will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5).

As per the DSM-5, for someone to be diagnosed with Intellectual Disability they must have:

1. Deficits in intellectual functions that are confirmed by both clinical assessment and standardised intelligence testing.

2. Deficits in adaptive functioning that result in failure to meet developmental and sociocultural standards for personal independence and social responsibility.

3. Onset of intellectual and adaptive deficits during the developmental period.

An Intellectual Disability diagnosis will also include the level of severity which is based on the person's adaptive functioning:

• Mild

• Moderate

• Severe

• Profound

While there is no cure for an Intellectual Disability, early diagnosis and specifically tailored treatment are important for there to be improved results.

Other services available to help with Intellectual Disability include:

Psychology: A Psychologist can help to develop emotion regulation skills. 

Positive Behaviour Support: A Behaviour Support Practitioner can help to understand behaviours of concern, provide strategies, and build skills.

Occupational Therapy: An Occupational Therapist can support independence and participation in daily life.

Speech Pathology: A Speech Pathologist will focus on developing communication skills.

1. Intellectual Disability may also be called a “Learning Disability” and/or a “Intellectual Developmental Disorder”.

2. 22% of Australians that have been diagnosed with an Intellectual Disability were born with it.  

American Psychiatric Association

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/intellectual-disability/what-is-intellectual-disability#:~:text=Intellectual%20disability%201%20refers%20to,communication%20skills%20and%20social%20participation.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability#dis_type

Cleveland Clinic

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25015-intellectual-disability-id

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5).

Inclusion Australia

https://www.inclusionaustralia.org.au/intellectual-disability/what-is-intellectual-disability/

NSW Government Education

https://education.nsw.gov.au/campaigns/inclusive-practice-hub/all-resources/secondary-resources/understanding-disability/intellectual-disability  

Raising Children

https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/intellectual-disability

Special Olympics

https://www.specialolympics.org/about/intellectual-disabilities/what-is-intellectual-disability

The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network

https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/intellectual-disability-factsheet