Intellectual Disability

Intellectual Disability (ID) is a diagnosis given when an individual has problems both in intellectual functioning and the ability to function in everyday activities. An individual with ID may have problems with speaking, reading, eating, taking care of themselves, or interacting appropriately with others. In the past, we used to use the term "mental retardation," but we no longer use that term.

ID is usually diagnosed before the age of 18. The term intellectual disability covers the same population of individuals who were diagnosed previously with mental retardation in number, kind, level, type and duration of disability.

While ID is the preferred term, it takes time for language that is used in legislation, regulation, and even for the names of organisations, to change.

Most children with ID can learn a great deal and as adults may have partially or even fully independent lives. Individuals with ID may also have different physical problems such as seizures, seeing, hearing, or speaking.

Emotional and behavioral disorders may be associated with ID, and they may interfere with the child's progress. Most children with ID recognise that they are behind others of their own age. Some may become frustrated, withdrawn or anxious, or act "bad" to get the attention of other youngsters and adults.

Children and teens with ID may be victims of bullying in school and social settings. Adolescents and young adults with ID may become depressed and even suicidal. Youth, teens, and young adults may not have the language skills needed to talk about their feelings, and their depression may be shown by new problems in their behavior, eating, and sleeping.

It is important to have your child with ID evaluated both medically and psychiatrically if you noticed sudden changes in the child's behaviors, including aggressive behaviors. The child may also be experiencing an underlying medical problem that they cannot tell you about.

When ID is suspected, it is particularly important that the child has a comprehensive evaluation to find out the cause of the ID, and strengths and specific needs to support gaining new skills. Many professionals are involved in the evaluation. General medical tests as well as tests in areas such as neurology (the nervous system), psychology, psychiatry, special education, hearing, speech and vision, and physical therapy are part of the evaluation. A clinician, often a pediatrician or a child and adolescent psychiatrist, coordinates these tests.

When the evaluation is done, the evaluation team along with the family and the school develop a comprehensive treatment and education plan. When a child has ID, the goal is to help the child stay with the family and take part in community life.

Early diagnosis of psychiatric disorders in children with ID leads to early treatment. Medications can also be helpful as one part of overall treatment and management of children with ID. Psychotherapy and occupational therapy can also be helpful in managing the child's emotions and behaviors.

Working with a child and adolescent psychiatrist over the course of childhood can help the family in setting appropriate expectations, limits, opportunities to succeed, and other measures which will help their child with ID handle the stresses of growing up. There is hope; each child is different and may reach goals not felt possible when the diagnosis of ID was made.