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Overview: Intellectual Disability

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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
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