Intellectual Disability Flashcards
What are three criteria required for diagnosis of ID?
Deficits in intellectual functions confirmed by clinical assessment and standardized intellegence testing (IQ score of approximately 70 or below);
Adaptive functioning deficits relative to expectation for chronological age that result in failure to meet developmental or sociocultural standards for personal independence and social responsibility;
Onset of symptoms during the developmental period.
What are the severity classifications for ID?
Mild ID, IQ = 50-55 to 70(ish)
Moderate ID, IQ = 35-40 to 50-55
Severe ID, IQ = 20-25 to 35-40
Profound ID, IQ < 20-25
What is the incidence rate of ID and gender ratio?
Estimates range from 1% to 3% of general population, with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1
What percentage of those with ID are classified as mild, moderate, severe, and profound levels of severity?
Mild = 85% Moderate = 10% Severe = 3-4% Profound = 1-2%
What are some common genetic causes of ID? Which is/are most prevalent cause?
Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Williams syndrome, Tay-Sachs disease, Prader-Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome
Down syndrome is the most prevalent form of ID with known genetic etiology, and fragile X is most common familial/inherited form
What are some common acquired causes of ID? Which is/are most prevalent cause?
prematurity/low birth rate, exposure to alcohol or drugs, environmental toxins, TBI, infections, iodine deficiency, stroke, meningitis, whooping cough, anoxia
Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the most common environmental and preventable causes of ID.
Does type of transmission influence outcomes of ID?
Yes, persons with different forms/transmission of ID can differ in behavior and characteristics
What are common early signs of ID?
Failure to meet developmental milestones (motor and language delays) and/or physical indicators; simple, concrete play; frequent behavior outbursts and temper tantrums.
In more mild cases, ID may not be apparent until entering school, failure to meet educational expectations for their age; particularly evident on abstract reasoning, retention, and generalization of info.
Do limitations decrease, plateau, or increase throughout development?
Development of skills typically tends to level out in early adolescence, with growing gaps between ID kids and normally developing peers particularly as expectations for abstract thinking and problem solving increase. Stable IQ performance and adaptive functioning is expected over time with some exceptions. i.e., Down syndrome and Fragile X show declining IQ into adulthood
What is the expected course of ID in adulthood?
It depends on the underlying etiology. Recovery is never expected in individuals with IQ, and many remain stable in ID and functioning. Others are at risk for increased problems as they age, i.e., individuals with Down syndrome are prone to develop Alzheimer’s
What type of profile is expected in intelligence testing?
IQ usually 70 or below, though some times it’s as high as 75. Certain conditions entail different profiles, i.e.,individuals with autism have better nonverbal than verbal performance, Williams syndrome have verbal better than nonverbal
What other cognitive areas are commonly impacted in ID?
Problems with attention are common; language is variably affected depending on etiology of ID; exec functions are generally impaired; significant delays in all sensorimotor skill development is expected; problems with impulse control, frustration tolerance, behavior regulation, mood are common
What is the main aim of prevention efforts for ID?
Primary: Education on proper nutrition and avoiding substances in pregnancy; helmet utilization; vaccinations.
Secondary: screening medical/genetic conditions (i.e., PKU, hyperthyroidism) and intensive early intervention services.
Tertiary prevention: education, training, support for families and caregivers
What is the primary aim of interventions in ID?
Most often the core cognitive deficits in ID cannot be normalized, so interventions focus on prevention and improving quality of life. Targeted skills include social and independent living.
Behaviors in ID are often addressed with applied behavior analysis (ABA).
Supported employment programs help individuals function in the least restrictive level of supervision and support.
Medical intervention and meds treat comorbid conditions.
What are frequently used measures of IQ?
Wechsler series, Differential Abilities Scales, Kaufman series, Stanford-Binet, and the Leiter International Performance Scales
