Overview: Intellectual Disability
From PhilanthropyWiki
[edit]
Intellectual Disability Overview
People with an intellectual disability (sometimes also called a developmental disability) are those who have the following characteristics:
- Significantly below-average intelligence level (as measured in IQ tests)
- Significant difficulties with the personal skills needed to live independently such as learning and communication
A number of factors can cause or contribute to intellectual disability, including:
- Brain injury before or during birth
- Brain infection
- Lack of proper nutrition
- Chromosomal or genetic abnormalities
- Extremely premature birth
- Maternal drug and alcohol misuse during pregnancy
