1️⃣ What is Intellectual Disability?
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Intellectual disability is a condition that starts in childhood.
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It affects:
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Learning and understanding information
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Communication and social skills
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Daily life skills, like self-care and work
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Not laziness – it is a developmental condition
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With support, people can live full and meaningful lives
2️⃣ How is it Diagnosed?
Doctors use a guide called DSM-5-TR.
To be diagnosed, a person must have all three:
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Difficulties with thinking and learning
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Understanding information
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Solving problems
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Learning at school or in daily life
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Remembering things
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IQ may be tested (~65–75), but IQ alone is not enough
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Difficulties with daily life skills
These are called adaptive skills, grouped as:-
Conceptual: reading, writing, numbers, money, time
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Social: talking to others, understanding feelings, making friends
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Practical: personal care, daily routines, work or school tasks
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Start before age 18
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Problems must begin in childhood or teenage years
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3️⃣ Levels of Support
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Mild: some support needed
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Moderate: regular support needed
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Severe: a lot of support needed
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Profound: full-time support needed
Support can include:
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Individualised education plans (IEPs in US / EHCPs in UK)
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Therapy and life skills training
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Family, community, and school support
4️⃣ Symptoms of Intellectual Disability
A. Intelligence-related symptoms
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Slow or delayed learning in school or daily life
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Slower reading and comprehension
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Difficulty with reasoning, judgment, problem-solving, and planning
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Distractibility or trouble focusing
B. Adaptive behavior symptoms
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Slower learning of self-care (bathing, dressing, toilet training)
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Slower social development and understanding social rules
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Needing help with daily activities longer than expected
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Difficulty managing time, money, chores, appointments, or medications
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Trouble understanding social boundaries
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Difficulty forming friendships or romantic relationships
5️⃣ Causes of Intellectual Disability
Before birth (prenatal):
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Genetics: inherited conditions like Down syndrome, Fragile X, Prader-Willi
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Infections: rubella, toxoplasmosis affecting fetal brain
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Teratogens: alcohol, tobacco, certain medications, radiation
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Medical conditions in pregnancy: thyroid problems or hormonal issues
During birth:
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Lack of oxygen (hypoxia)
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Premature birth
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Brain injuries during delivery
Early childhood:
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Brain injuries or accidents
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Exposure to toxins like lead or mercury
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Infections like meningitis or measles
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Tumors or growths in the brain
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Medical conditions like epilepsy or severe seizures
6️⃣ Conditions that Can Occur Alongside Intellectual Disability
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ADHD (Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder)
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Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Impulse control disorders
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Anxiety or depression
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Movement disorders
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Health problems linked to specific genetic conditions
7️⃣ Diagnosis & Tests
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Multiple steps: assessing intelligence and adaptive skills
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Early identification: some tests can identify ID in young children
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Severity classification:
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Mild: mental age 9–12, may work/live independently with support (~85% of cases)
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Moderate: mental age 6–9, can communicate simply, needs varying support
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Severe: mental age 3–6, communicates with words/gestures, daily care needed
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Profound: mental age <3, usually nonverbal, full-time care needed
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Possible tests:
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IQ and adaptive functioning assessments
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Laboratory tests (blood, urine)
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Genetic counseling
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Brain imaging (MRI, CT scans)
8️⃣ Management & Treatment
No cure exists, but support improves quality of life.
Treatment includes:
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Education support: IEPs, modified learning programs
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Behavioral support: learning daily skills and adaptive behaviors
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Vocational training: work-related skills and independence
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Family education: helping caregivers support a loved one
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Medication: for related conditions (anxiety, ADHD, seizures, etc.)
9️⃣ Important Message
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Intellectual disability is developmental, not caused by laziness
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IQ alone does not define a person
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Support is tailored to daily life skills
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With the right support, people can live meaningful, independent lives
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