Intellectual Disability Disorder

Summary

In this video, Dr. Karis Dillon explains intellectual developmental disorder (IDD), a neurodevelopmental condition affecting about 6 in 1,000 children. The video covers the criteria for diagnosing IDD, including deficits in intelligence, communication, and adaptive functioning. Dr. Dillon discusses the classification of IDD into mild, moderate, severe, and profound categories, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive evaluation that includes both clinical assessments and sociocultural context. The video also explores the potential causes of IDD, ranging from genetic syndromes to environmental factors, and introduces the terms 'global developmental delay' and 'unspecified intellectual disability'.

Takeaways

• 😀 Intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) affects 6 out of every 1,000 people, typically diagnosed in childhood, often between the ages of 2 and 5.
• 😀 IDD is diagnosed based on three criteria: deficits in intelligence, deficits in communication or socialization, and delays in development across multiple environments.
• 😀 Intelligence deficits include difficulty with problem-solving, reasoning, planning, and abstract thinking, which can be assessed by teachers using grade-appropriate tasks.
• 😀 Communication and socialization deficits focus on a child's ability to live independently and interact with peers, both at home and in broader social settings.
• 😀 The third diagnostic criterion involves general developmental delay, meaning that the individual is not meeting expected milestones for their age group.
• 😀 The term 'mental retardation' was replaced with 'intellectual disability' through the passage of Rosa's Law to remove social stigma and legal implications.
• 😀 Intellectual disabilities are categorized into four levels: mild, moderate, severe, and profound, with assessments considering adaptive functioning, not just IQ scores.
• 😀 Mild intellectual disabilities may not be evident in preschool but become noticeable during early elementary school years when children struggle with learning basic academic skills.
• 😀 Moderate intellectual disabilities are characterized by significant learning difficulties and continued delays in academic and social skills throughout life.
• 😀 Severe intellectual disabilities involve limited understanding of language and numeracy, requiring continuous support for daily living and personal care tasks.
• 😀 Profound intellectual disabilities involve near-total dependence on others for care, limited communication skills, and a focus on sensory and emotional experiences in the present moment.
• 😀 Testing for IDD includes assessing verbal comprehension, memory, reasoning, and cognitive factors. Both clinical evaluations and standardized measures are used, considering the child's language and cultural background.
• 😀 The causes of intellectual disabilities can be genetic, environmental, or due to prenatal and postnatal factors such as brain malformations, trauma, or exposure to toxins.
• 😀 Categories like 'global developmental delay' (for children under 5) and 'unspecified intellectual disability' (for children over 5) are used when a full diagnosis cannot yet be made, often due to communication or sensory impairments.

Q & A

What is the main goal of Dr. Karis Dillon's channel?

The main goal of Dr. Karis Dillon's channel is to make academic subjects easier to understand.

What is an intellectual developmental disorder?

An intellectual developmental disorder is a condition that affects a person’s cognitive abilities and social skills, typically diagnosed during childhood, and impacts their ability to learn, communicate, and live independently.

How is intellectual developmental disorder diagnosed?

It is diagnosed by observing three criteria: deficits in intelligence (learning ability), deficits in communication or socialization, and developmental delay. All three must be present.

What are the three criteria for diagnosing intellectual developmental disorder?

The three criteria are: 1) Deficits in intelligence (learning ability), 2) Deficits in communication or socialization, and 3) Developmental delay.

Why is the term 'mental retardation' no longer used in diagnosing intellectual disabilities?

The term 'mental retardation' was replaced due to its negative social stigma and the change in the law, known as Rosa's Law.

What are the categories used to scale intellectual disabilities?

Intellectual disabilities are categorized into four levels: mild, moderate, severe, and profound.

What does 'adaptive functioning' refer to when diagnosing intellectual disabilities?

Adaptive functioning refers to a person’s ability to socialize, learn, and function independently in daily life, which is crucial when diagnosing the severity of intellectual disabilities.

What are some characteristics of individuals with mild intellectual disabilities?

Individuals with mild intellectual disabilities may struggle with higher-level thinking, planning, and understanding priorities. They might need assistance with tasks like managing money, grocery shopping, and personal hygiene, but can live relatively independently.

What is the key difference between children with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities?

Children with moderate intellectual disabilities have significant delays in learning basic concepts like math and reading, while those with severe intellectual disabilities may have limited understanding of language and cognitive functions, requiring extensive help in all areas of life.

What are the two categories used for children under five years old who are suspected of having intellectual disabilities?

Children under five years old may be categorized with either 'global developmental delay,' when the severity cannot be diagnosed yet, or 'unspecified intellectual disability' for those with physical or sensory impairments that hinder proper assessment.

How does the testing process for intellectual disabilities incorporate cultural and background factors?

Testing involves not only intelligence assessments but also a clinical professional evaluation, considering factors like the child’s first language, sociocultural background, and the observations of parents, teachers, and other professionals.

What are some potential causes of intellectual disabilities?

Intellectual disabilities can arise from genetic syndromes, chromosomal disorders, metabolic problems, prenatal exposure to toxins or alcohol, brain malformations, labor and delivery complications, brain trauma, chronic social deprivation, and other environmental factors.