At what age is intellectual disability diagnosed?

Intellectual disability is diagnosed before the age of 18. Most children with intellectual disabilities can learn a great deal and as adults may have partially or even fully independent lives.

What are considered intellectual disabilities?

Intellectual disability1 involves problems with general mental abilities that affect functioning in two areas: intellectual functioning (such as learning, problem solving, judgement) adaptive functioning (activities of daily life such as communication and independent living)

What are some examples of intellectual disabilities?

Some of the most common known causes of intellectual disability – like Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, fragile X syndrome, genetic conditions, birth defects, and infections – happen before birth.

What does it mean when a child has an intellectual disability?

What is an “Intellectual Disability”? Children with IDs have significant difficulties in both intellectual functioning (e.g. communicating, learning, problem solving) and adaptive behavior (e.g. everyday social skills, routines, hygiene ). IDs can be mild or more severe.

Who are carers for children with intellectual disabilities?

Needs of older carers. Parents who have continued to care for a child with intellectual disabilities into the latter’s late middle age will have their own health and social support needs as they themselves become elderly. Many carers at this stage are widowed mothers.

Is there a hidden population of people with intellectual disabilities?

Hidden population Although most households in which there is an ageing carer and son or daughter with intellectual disabilities will be known to health and/or social services, Horne (1989) stressed that the epidemiological data and empirical evidence both clearly indicate the existence of a ‘hidden’ population.

Is there a cure for an intellectual disability?

Most children with IDs can learn a great deal, and as adults can lead at least partially independent lives. What is the Treatment and Outlook for an Intellectual Disability? There is no cure for IDs, however most children can learn to do many things. It just takes them more time and effort. Many families have a child with ID.

How does an intellectual disability affect a child?

Your daughter’s intellectual disability will affect the development of some of these behaviors but you will be able to note some common physical developments. For more resources on sexuality development, please refer to our Children’s Sexuality Development and Behaviors resource guide list.

What are the signs of an intellectual disability?

There are many signs of an Intellectual Disability. For example, children may: Sit up, crawl, or walk later than other children. Learn to talk later or have trouble speaking. Have trouble understanding social rules. Have trouble seeing the consequences of their actions. Have trouble solving problems.

How old do you have to be to get an intellectual disability?

Children who turn 18 are evaluated under the adult listing for intellectual disability, which is very similar to the children’s.

How many children in the United States have intellectual disabilities?

Children with Intellectual Disabilities. Intellectual Disability (ID) ( formerly called mental retardation) is the most common developmental disability–nearly 6.5 million people in the United States have some level of ID. (more than 545,000 are ages 6-21).