Intellectual Disability is recognized in an individual who suffers from cognitive skills and functioning limitations. Health professionals once called it “mental retardation.” However, a few years later, the word “Intellectual Disability” was adopted to better address this health condition. An individual with this common developmental disability may have lack of social, communication, and self-care skills. Intellectual disability can cause a child to learn slower than an average child and can occur any time before an individual is born or before he turns 18 years old or through trauma to the brain.
According to research by the American Association of Intellectual Development Disabilities, an intellectually disabled individual is recognized if he/she possesses the following three characteristics:
- Intelligence quotient (IQ) less than 70-75.
- Difficulty in adapting to one or more areas of life such as self-care, communication, life, play, or work.
- Visible signs of functioning and cognitive skills.
What Causes Intellectual Disability?
Intellectual disability can be caused by a complication in the brain or an injury that might disrupt neural functioning. However, according to numerous health professionals, the cause of this disability is unspecified.
Some other causes of intellectual disability can be birth defects, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, or infections that can occur before or after the birth of the affected individual. An infection, a severe head injury, or a major stroke can also cause an individual to develop Intellectual Disability in the later years of his life.
Abnormal Gene Combination
Oftentimes, an infant develops intellectual disability when he/she inherits abnormal genes from his/her parents. It can also occur when an error occurs during gene combinations such as phenylketonuria, down syndrome, and fragile X syndrome.
Pregnancy Complications
When a baby does not develop properly inside a mother, it increases his/her chances of developing intellectual disability. For instance, a problem might occur during the baby’s cell division. A female who is addicted to alcohol might pass on deadly infections to her child which might result in intellectual disability.
Exposures to Toxins or Diseases
Intellectual disability can also be caused by diseases such as measles, whooping cough, or meningitis. Lack of proper medical care, extreme malnutrition, or exposure to poisons such as mercury or lead can also lead to intellectual disability in children below the age of 18.
How Common Are Intellectual Disabilities?
Intellectual Disabilities are more common than we know. In the United States, approximately 6.5 million individuals are affected by this condition whereas 1-3% of the global population suffers from one or more types of intellectual disability.
However, according to reports and statistics, individuals in low-income countries are more likely to develop intellectual disability – 16.41 in every 1,000 individuals.
How Can Intellectual Disability be Cured?
Intellectual disability is not a temporary disease nor is it contagious. Therefore, it cannot be cured. People with intellectual disabilities might take longer than others to learn and adapt to everyday life. However, an individual can improve their ways of living through professional medical help, early diagnosis, and ongoing interventions.
There are therapies that can help improve cognitive and adaptive behavioral skills which with proper individualized plan and support can make a difference in the quality of life of people receiving these therapies.
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Orthomolecular therapy
- Genetic manipulations
- Talk therapy
With proper medical care and support, an individual with an intellectual disability can enhance and upgrade his way of living and play an integral role in the crucial parts of society. With courage, determination, hard work, and dedication, anything can be accomplished for an individual with an Intellectual Disability.
