Intellectual disability.

Hello Anonymous,

Welcome to EmpowHER and thank you for asking us for information.

Intellectual disability (ID), also called intellectual development disorder and formerly known as mental retardation, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired intellectual and adaptive functioning which is defined by an IQ score below 70 as well as a delay in general daily living skills. Other common symptoms include speech delays and lack of social functioning. Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome often overlap with ID.

Signs may appear during infancy, or they may not be noticeable until a child reaches school age. It often depends on the severity of the disability. Some of the most common signs of intellectual disability are:

Rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking late
Talking late or having trouble with talking
Slow to master things like potty training, dressing, and feeding himself or herself
Difficulty remembering things
Inability to connect actions with consequences
Behavior problems such as explosive tantrums
Difficulty with problem-solving or logical thinking

Certain causes of intellectual disability are preventable. The most common of these is fetal alcohol syndrome.

Onset occurs before the age of 18. An IQ test can determine if indeed your daughter has an intellectual disability.

Regards,
Maryann