When the id has other serious physical problems, your child's life expectancy may be lower than average.
Overview
If your child has an
intellectual disability (id), their brain is not developing properly or they
are injured in some way. Their brains may also not function within the normal
range of intelligence and adaptive function. In the past, medical experts
called this condition "mental retardation."
Ids has four levels:
- gentle
- easing
- serious
- deep
Sometimes, ids may be
classified as:
- ·“ other"
- ·“ not specified"
It involves low IQ and
adapting to everyday life. Learning, speech, social, and physical impairments
may also be present.
Severe cases of id may
be diagnosed shortly after birth. However, you may not realize that your child
has a milder id until they fail to reach their common development goals. Almost
all id cases are diagnosed when your child is 18 years old.
Symptoms
of intellectual disability
Symptoms of an id can
vary depending on your child's level of disability and may include:
- failure to reach intellectual milestones
- sit, climb or walk later than
other children
- problems with habitual speaking
or problems with unclear speech
- memory problems
- inability to understand the
consequences of action
- inability to think logically
- childish behavior that does not
match the child's age
- lack of curiosity
- learning difficulties
- IQ below 70
- unable to live a fully
independent life due to the challenges of communicating, taking care of
yourself, or interacting with others
IF YOUR CHILD HAS AN
ID, THEY MAY EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE FOLLOWING BEHAVIORAL ISSUES:
- aggression
- dependency
- quit social activities
- attention-seeking behavior
- depression in adolescence
- lack of impulse control
- passive
- self-injurious tendencies
- stubbornness
- low self-esteem
- low tolerance for setbacks
- mental disorders
- difficulty concentrating
Some people with ids
may also have specific physical characteristics. These may include short
stature or facial abnormalities.
Degree of intellectual
disability
Based on your child's IQ
and social fitness, ids are divided into four levels.
Mild intellectual disability
Some of the symptoms
of mild intellectual disability include:
- learning to speak takes longer, but once
they know how to communicate, it's fine
- • completely independent
self-care as they get older
- there are problems reading and
writing
- social immaturity
- increased difficulty in marital
or parenting responsibilities
- benefit from professional
education programs
- the IQ ranges from 50 to 69
Moderate intellectual disability
IF YOUR CHILD HAS A
MODERATE ID, THEY MAY EXHIBIT SOME OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS:
- understanding and using language is slow
- communication can be difficult
- can learn basic reading, writing, and
counting skills
- generally cannot live alone
- ・
you can often walk around familiar places by yourself
- can participate in various social
activities
- the usual IQ range is 35 to 49
Severe intellectual disability
SYMPTOMS OF A SEVERITY
ID INCLUDE:
- obvious
movement disorders
- their
central nervous system is severely damaged or dysplasia
- IQs
are generally between 20 and 34
Severe intellectual disability
SYMPTOMS OF DEEPIN
INCLUDE:
- inability to understand or comply with
requirements or instructions
- possible immobility
- incontinence
- very basic non-verbal
communication
- inability to take care of their
own needs independently
- requires constant help and
supervision
- IQ below 20
Other intellectual disabilities
People in this
category are usually physically impaired, hearing impaired, unable to speak, or
physically disabled. These factors may prevent your child's doctor from doing
screening tests.
Unspecified intellectual disability
If your child has an
unspecified id, they will have id symptoms, but their doctor does not have
enough information to determine the extent of their disability.
What
causes intellectual disability?
Doctors cannot always
determine the specific cause of an id, but causes of an id can include:
- prenatal trauma, such as infection or
exposure to alcohol, drugs, or other toxins
- trauma at birth, such as
hypoxia or preterm birth
- Genetic disorders, such as
phenylketonuria (PKU) or Tay-Sachs disease
- chromosomal abnormalities, such
as down syndrome
- lead or mercury poisoning
- severe malnutrition or other
dietary problems
- severe cases of early childhood
illness, such as whooping cough, measles, or meningitis
- brain damage
How
is intellectual disability diagnosed?
To be diagnosed with
an id, your child's intelligence and adaptability must be below average. Your
child's doctor will perform a three-part assessment, which includes:
- interview you
- observation of the child
- standard testing
Your child will
receive a standard intelligence test, such as the Stanford-Binet intelligence
test. This will help the doctor determine your child's IQ.
Doctors may also
perform other tests, such as the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale. Compared to
other children in the same age group, this test assesses your child's daily
living skills and social skills.
It is important to
remember that children from different cultures and socioeconomic statuses may
perform differently on these tests. To make a diagnosis, your child's doctor
will consider the test results, an interview with you, and observations of your
child.
Your child's
assessment process may include visits to specialists, who may include:
- psychologist
- speech-language pathologist
- social worker
- pediatric neurologist
- developmental pediatrician
- physical therapist
Laboratory and imaging
tests can also be performed. These can help your child's doctor detect
metabolic and genetic disorders, as well as structural problems with your
child's brain.
Other conditions, such
as hearing loss, learning disabilities, neurological disorders, and emotional
problems, can also lead to stunting. Your child's doctor should rule out these
conditions before diagnosing your child with an id.
You, your child's
school, and your doctor will use the results of these tests and assessments to
develop a treatment and education plan for your child.
Treatment
options for intellectual disabilities
Your child may need
ongoing counseling to help them cope with their disability.
You will be provided
with a family service plan that describes your child's needs. The program will
also detail the services your child needs to help them develop normally. Your
family needs will also be addressed in the program.
WHEN YOUR CHILD IS
READY FOR SCHOOL, AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP) IS IMPLEMENTED TO
HELP THEM MEET THEIR EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. ALL CHILDREN WITH IDS BENEFIT FROM
SPECIAL EDUCATION.
THE FEDERAL
DISABILITIES ACT (IDEA) REQUIRES PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE FREE AND APPROPRIATE
EDUCATION TO CHILDREN WITH ID AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
The main goal of
treatment is to help your child reach their full potential in the following
areas:
- education
- social skills
- life skills
Treatment may include:
- behavioral therapy
- occupational therapy
- coaching
- drugs, in some cases
What are the long-term prospects?
When the id has other
serious physical problems, your child's life expectancy may be lower than
average. However, if your child has mild to moderate ids, their life expectancy
may be fairly normal.
When your child grows
up, they may be able to take on jobs that complement their id levels, live
independently, and support themselves.
Support services help
adults with ids lead independent and fulfilling lives.