Intellectual development disorder can also be termed as intellectual disability. Based on research, intellectual disability is a neuro-developmental condition associated with intellectual functioning deficits, such as experiential learning, academic learning, judgment, reasoning, abstract thinking, and planning. These factors will, therefore, lead to impairments in social, academic, and practical functioning. Children with intellectual development disorder are slow learners. For instance, most children with intellectual disabilities will face challenges when applying and interpreting new information. In addition, an older child with this disorder will have deficits in problem-solving skills, social skills, and memory capacity.
Signs of Intellectual Disability
There are numerous signs and symptoms of intellectual development disorder in children. There are four levels of intellectual disability: profound, mild, severe, and moderate. Signs of this type of disorder will be determined by its severity. Below are signs of intellectual disability;
– Inability to determine the correlation between actions and consequences
– Inability to communicate effectively
– Temporary memory loss
– Sitting up, rolling over, walking, or crawling late
– Behavioral problems
– Inability to master things at the right pace
– Difficulty in logical thinking and problem-solving
– Lack of curiosity
Children suffering from profound and severe intellectual disability will have higher chances of developing hearing problems, motor skills impairment, mood disorders, seizures, and vision problems. In addition, there are behavioral issues interrelated with intellectual disability, such as passivity, depression, aggression, dependency, low self-esteem, stubbornness, and psychotic disorders.
Causes of Intellectual Disability
There are numerous causes of intellectual development disorder. Below are the common causes;
– Brain injury
– Trauma before birth as a result of exposure to toxins or infection
– Mercury or lead poisoning
– Dietary issues or severe malnutrition
– Chromosome abnormalities, especially the down syndrome
– Inherited or genetic disorders
Conclusion
Intellectual disability is diagnosed through a three-part evaluation which includes standard tests, observations, and interviews. Standard intellectual tests are done to determine the degree of your child’s IQ(intellectual quotient).
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