INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY Definition and Concept

By,Antara Choudhury

Assistant Professor of Special Education,School of Education,

Netaji Subhas Open University, W.B.

Intellectual Disability is the currently preferred term for the disability historically referred to as Mental Retardation.

AAIDD Definition- 2010

Intellectual Disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills. This disability originates before the age of 18.

KEY CONCEPTS

I. DISABILITYII. INTELLECTUAL FUNCTIONINGIII. ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOURIV. AGE of ONSET

DISABILITYA disability is any restriction or lack (resulting from an impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.

( WHO, 1976 )Disability is an umbrella term, coveringImpairmentActivity LimitationsParticipation Restriction

INTELLECTUAL FUNCTIONING

Intelligence refers to general mental capability, such as learning, reasoning, problem solving and so on.Limitations in intellectual functioning refers as an IQ test score is approx. 70 or below.

ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOURAdaptive Behavior represents the conceptual, social and practical skills that are learned and performed by people in their everyday lives.

Conceptual skills- Language and Literacy, money, time, number

Social skills- interpersonal skills, social responsibility, safety, follows rules, avoids victimization

Practical skills- ADL, occupational, travel, using telephone

AGE of ONSET

There is evidence of disability during the developmental period – before the age of 18.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONSCommunity EnvironmentPeer groupCultural DifferencesLinguistic Diversity

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