INTELLECTUAL

DEVELOPMENT
DISORDER (IDD)
 Intellectual Development Disorder

• Intellectual development disorder (IDD), also known

as Intellectual Disability (ID),  a group of developmental
conditions characterized by a significant impairment of
cognitive functions, which are associated with
limitations of learning, adaptive behavior and skills.
• People with intellectual disabilities can and do learn new
skills, but they learn them more slowly.
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.
IQ (Intelligence Quotient)
• IQ (intelligence quotient) is measured by an IQ test. The
average IQ is A person is considered intellectually
disabled if he or she has an IQ of less than 70 to 75.
Adaptive Behaviors
• To measure a child’s adaptive behaviors, a specialist will
observe the child’s skills and compare them to other
children of the same age.
• Things that may be observed include how well the child
can feed or dress himself or herself; how well the child is
able to communicate with and understand others; and
how the child interacts with family, friends, and other
children of the same age.
 Classification of
Intellectual Disability
Mild (IQ range from 50-70)
 Taking longer to learn to talk, but communicating well once they know how
 Having problems with reading and writing

Moderate (IQ range from 35-50)

 Are slow in understanding and using language
 May have some difficulties with communication

Severe (IQ range from 20-35)

 Is often recognized early in life with poor motor development & absent or
markedly delayed speech & communication skills
 Can learn to talk and perform single work but extremely limited.

Profound (IQ range below 20)

 Inability to understand or comply with request or instructions
 The need of constant help and supervision
Intellectual disability can be caused by a problem that starts any time before a
child turns 18 years old – even before birth.
Sign and Symptoms
• Talking late or having trouble with talking
• sitting, crawling, or walking later than other children
• Trouble remembering things
• Slow to master things like potty training, dressing, and feeding themselves
• Failure to appreciate and avoid dangerous situations such as playing in the
street, or touching a hot stove
• A lack of curiosity or interest in the world around them
• Behavior problems such as explosive tantrums
• lQ below 70
• Difficulty learning new information despite significant effort and repetition.
• Difficulty performing self-care activities
• Difficulty with problem-solving or logical thinking
 What causes Intellectual Disability?

Anytime something interferes with normal brain development, intellectual disability can

result. However, a specific cause for intellectual disability can only be pinpointed about
a third of the time.

The most common causes of intellectual disability are:

Genetic conditions. These include things like Down syndrome (caused by an extra

chromosome)
Problems during pregnancy. Things that can interfere with fetal brain development
include alcohol or drug use, malnutrition, or certain infections.
Problems during childbirth. Intellectual disability may result if a baby is deprived of
oxygen during childbirth or born extremely premature.
Illness or injury. Infections like meningitis, whooping cough, or the measles can lead
to intellectual disability. Severe head injury, near-drowning, extreme malnutrition,
exposure to toxic substances such as lead, and severe neglect or abuse can also cause it.
None of the above. In two-thirds of all children who have intellectual disability, the
cause is unknown.
Diagnosis
• Doctor will perform a three-part evaluation that includes:
- interview
- observations of the child
- standard tests
• Will be given standard intelligence tests, such as the Stanford-Binet
Intelligence Test..
• Administer other tests such as the Vineland Adaptive Behavior
Scales.
• Laboratory and imaging tests may also be performed.
 Treatment
Intellectual development disorder is a lifelong disorder. It
is treated through management and rehabilitation
programs (including special education programs) aimed at
helping children with the disorder acquire adaptive skills
so they can live healthy, happy, relatively independent
lives.
 Nursing Management
• Determine the child’s strengths & abilities & develop a plan of care to
maintain & enhance capabilities
• Monitor the child for physical or emotional distress.
• Teach the child about natural & normal feelings & emotions
• Provide positive reinforcement / specific tasks to the behavior of children.
• Give simple instructions and repeat.
• Maintain a consistent & supervised environment
• Demonstrate & help the child practice self-care skills
• Teach the child adaptive skills, such as eating, dressing, grooming &
toileting
• Encourage children to socialize with the group