Intellectual impairment is subnormal cognitive functioning that impacts daily life and is demonstrated by limitations in social and practical skills. It is divided into four categories based on the level of disability. Some cases are genetic, while others are linked to controllable factors such as maternal drug use. It may be considered a disability and covered by anti-discrimination laws.
Intellectual impairment, also known as mental or cognitive impairment, is cognitive functioning that is subnormal and impacts daily life. The internationally accepted definition according to the American Association on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) is that intellectual impairment is demonstrated when a person’s intellectual function and ability to adapt has dramatic limitations, as demonstrated by their social and practical skills . The damage must also originate before the age of 18. Cognitive impairment typically means that a person needs adjustments in educational approaches and, in some cases, assistance in life. It does not necessarily mean that a person cannot make a positive contribution to society.
When a person has a mental disability, their ability to perform mental tasks and solve problems is below average. At the very least, this usually means that the individual needs more time to complete what he is doing. In the worst case, it means that the individual becomes completely dependent on other individuals and needs supervision throughout the day. Therefore, there is a wide range of intellectual disabilities.
Intellectual disability is divided into four basic categories that describe the level of disability. These include mild, moderate, severe and profound. A classification of mild means that the individual has an intelligence quotient (IQ) between 51 and 70. A moderate IQ means an IQ between 36 and 50. Experts give a severe impairment designation when an IQ is between 21 and 35. With an IQ of 20 or less, an individual is severely impaired.
People with intellectual disabilities show symptoms such as disorganization in learning and understanding abstract constructs. The ability to learn is needed to adapt and change, so another symptom is problems with adaptive skills. Examples of adaptive skill areas include social interaction, work, health and safety.
Intellectual impairment is not always considered a disability, but it can be. In this case, it may be covered by the anti-discrimination laws in the country where the person lives. For example, in the United States, intellectual disability is covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). This law considers an intellectual impairment a disability if a) the impairment limits one or more important life activities, such as self-care or work, b) the intellectual impairment combined with another impairment limits one or more important life activities c) the individual has a history of substantial intellectual impairment or d) no mental impairment is present, but others treat the individual as if they are.
Doctors and scientists believe that some cases of intellectual disability are purely genetic in origin. Other cases are linked to controllable factors such as maternal drug use – including some prescription drugs – that cause problems in fetal brain development. Cases of brain injury can also cause problems with mental functioning, but because brain injury and subsequent cognitive problems do not always occur before the age of 18, not all of these cases technically qualify as intellectual disability under the definition set forth by the AAIDD.
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