Intellectual Disability in Children
What is Intellectual Disability?
Intellectual Disability, referred to as Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD) in the DSM-5-TR, is characterised by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour. A child with an intellectual disability learns and develops slower than other children of the same age, and has difficulty with performing activities that are part of everyday life. Approximately 2% of children have an intellectual disability.
Intellectual Disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning the brain is wired differently compared with other children due to impaired or immature neural development, which typically appears in infancy or early childhood. The term Global Developmental Delay (GDD) is given for children under five years of age who present with several delays (i.e. slow to meet developmental milestones), yet are too young/unable to complete a formal standardised assessment. It is recommended that a child diagnosed with GDD, complete a formal IQ test after a period of time.
Symptoms of Intellectual Disability in children
Symptoms of Intellectual Disability include deficits in both cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviour:
Cognitive Functioning:
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Reasoning difficulties.
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Thinking and problem-solving difficulties.
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Difficulties with learning and understanding.
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Difficulties with remembering information.
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Poor planning and decision-making skills.
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Difficulties following instructions.
Adaptive Behaviour:
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Communication difficulties.
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Social difficulties, trouble understanding social rules, immaturity.
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Limited independent self-care skills (toileting, eating, and dressing).
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Poor fine-motor skills, poor gross-motor skills.
There are four levels of severity: Mild, Moderate, Severe, Profound. The level of severity is based on adaptive functioning, not the IQ score, because it is adaptive functioning that determines the level of support required.
Causes of Intellectual Disability
There is no single cause of Intellectual Disability, rather it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Factors that can increase the risk of a child having an Intellectual Disability include:
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Genetic: Family history of intellectual disability. Having a genetic condition such as Trisomy 21, Fragile X, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Rett Syndrome.
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Problems during pregnancy: Malnutrition, infection such as rubella, mother using alcohol or drugs during pregnancy, mother being ill during pregnancy.
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Problems at birth: Premature, low birth weight, temporary oxygen deprivation.
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Brain Injury: Traumatic injury to the head during infancy or childhood.
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Infection: Severe infection such as whooping cough, chickenpox, measles, or meningitis during infancy or childhood.
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Toxins: Exposure to high levels of toxins, such as lead or mercury.
Diagnosing Intellectual Disability in Children
For a child to be diagnosed with an Intellectual Disability, an assessment needs to be conducted by a psychologist. The psychologist will conduct a cognitive test with the child, and an adaptive behaviour questionnaire will be completed by the child’s teacher. The psychologist will also gather additional information about the child from their parent/carer, childcare/kindergarten/classroom teacher, and direct observation; and if available, information from other professionals (e.g. GP, paediatrician, speech pathologist, occupational therapist). It is recommended the child also be assessed by a GP or paediatrician to ensure there are no underlying medical conditions impacting the child.
If you would like enquire about an assessment for Intellectual Disability, please call 0475 585 073.
Contact
0475 585 073