Developmental Delay and Intellectual Disabilities

‘Intellectual disability’ is a broad term used when an individual has limitations in their ability to learn at an expected level and function in daily life. While these limitations encompass a wide array of functioning, including conceptual, practical, language, and social skills, they can generally be divided into two domains: (1) Intellectual functioning – such as learning, problem solving, and judgement, and (2) Adaptive functioning – the activities of everyday life, including communication and independent living. 

When we assessed adaptive behaviour in 14 individuals with Baker-Gordon syndrome, 4 scored in the borderline or mild intellectual disability (ID) range, 3 in the moderate ID range, and 7 in the severe or profound ID range. Of the components encompassed within adaptive behaviour, including communication, socialization, and daily living skills, communication ability was the most severely impaired, which we will talk about in more detail in the following. 

US resource: 

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-with-an-Intellectual-Disability-023.aspx