Intellectual Disabilities

On the other end of the scale, we have the lower than average intelligence that used to be called mental retardation and is now referred to as intellectual disability

Intellectual Disability Less than average intellectual functioning; the person is unable to perform tasks appropriate for his/her age.

These intellectual disabilities can be classified into five different levels. IQ scores of the intellectual disabled fall below 79. Why do intellectually disabled people "look different" than the average person? About 20% of people who are intellectually disabled have suffered from a physical defect usually resulting in a brain trauma. This brain trauma may have been caused by a lack of oxygen at birth, exposure to toxic chemicals, or poor nutrition. The brain has been compacted or stretched and looks different than the average person’s brain. Therefore, the intellectually disabled person will "look" different and their thoughts and behaviors are slowed. How do we treat the intellectually disabled? For those whose IQ scores that fall between 52–79, mainstreaming is a great alternative for their education. In some school districts, the intellectually disabled will be in an inclusion type of classroom for most of their day and a mainstreamed classroom for elective courses.

Mainstreaming Placing mildly mentally retarded children into classes with average IQ score children.

Inclusion A classroom for mentally retarded children where all of their learning takes place

View the Intellectually Disabled classifications.

IQ Score	Classification	Characteristics
70–79	Borderline intellectually disabled	Are not legally entitled to disability benefits. Are slow learners. Are employed in "nonintellectual" occupations.
52–69	Mild intellectually disabled	Most attend special schools. Higher end of this IQ scale may marry and have a family. Lower end of this IQ scale needs some supervision.
36–51	Moderate intellectually disabled	Present with physical problems often resulting from a disease. Live their life supervised, but are trained how to take care of themselves. When fully grown, have the mental capacity of a four to seven year old.
20–35	Severe intellectually disabled	Require constant supervision. Cannot benefit from school. Approximately 80% have had a major disease or physical defect.
19–below	Profound intellectually disabled	Only 1% of mentally retarded fall into this category. Unable to dress themselves (even as an adult). Do not mature mentally past the age of two years old.