Intellectual Disability

Let's begin our exploration of Neurodevelopmental Disorders with Intellectual Disability. The word "disability" refers to an inadequately developed ability, while "intellectual" pertains to mental faculties. I'll try to simplify these concepts in my own words.

You're familiar with the term "disabled," right? Over time, this term has evolved. We've heard or used expressions like "handicapped" or even "mental retardation." In fact, the term "mental retardation" was replaced by a federal law in the United States. Today, the scientific community uses the term "intellectual disability."

According to the Diagnostic Manual (DSM), intellectual disability can be diagnosed when these three criteria are simultaneously met: A. Deficits in intellectual functioning B. Deficits in adaptive functioning C. Onset of deficits A and B during the developmental period.

What does deficits mean? We probably know this word. Saying "we're in a deficit" is like saying "we're in a loss." An intellectual deficiency is akin to having an ability "in loss." If we define a "population standard" for a specific capability, having a deficiency means being significantly below that specified standard.

An intellectual functioning deficit, therefore, signifies a significant lack in reasoning, problem-solving, judgment, learning, and more. It's evaluated by a clinician and through specific tests.

An adaptive functioning deficit relates to one of these three areas:

• Conceptual
• Social
• Practical.

These areas answer the following questions:

• Conceptual domain: How adequate is the ability to acquire educational skills like reading, writing, mathematical reasoning, etc.?
• Social domain: How adequate is the ability to relate to others, develop relationships, etc.?
•  Practical domain: How adequate is the ability to take care of oneself, fulfill responsibilities, manage money, etc.?

It's precisely the deficiency in adaptive functioning that determines the type of assistance a person needs based on the severity assessed by the clinician. The DSM outlines four levels of severity:

• Mild
• Moderate
• Severe
• Profound.

Sources:
- Rosa's Law (2017) - Public Law 111-256 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/07/11/2017-14343/rosas-law)
- American Psychiatric Association (2013) - Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
- Bernhill, J. W. (2014) - DSM-5 Clinical Cases.

If you'd like me to explain a topic in psychology in my own words, please feel free to ask.