What is intellectual disability?
If a kid has an intellectual disability, once called mental retardation (MR), is characterized by
below average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for day to day living. It means that he or she learns and develops more slowly than other kids.
Someone who has an intellectual disability will have trouble learning and functioning in everyday life. This person could be 10 years old, but might not talk or write as well as a typical 10-year-old. He or she also is usually slower to learn other skills, like how to get dressed or how to act around other people.
Someone with intellectual disability has limitations in two areas. These areas are:
- Intellectual functioning. - Also known as IQ, this refers to a person’s ability to learn, reason, make decisions, and solve problems.
- Adaptive behaviors. - These are skills necessary for day-to-day life, such as being able to communicate effectively, interact with others, and take care of oneself.
