J. Corey Williams, Na Young Ji, M.D.
DEFINITION
DEFINITION
DEFINITION
- Intellectual disability (ID), or intellectual developmental disorder, is a disorder originating during the developmental period that is characterized by significant limitations in both:
- Intellectual functioning (i.e. general mental capacity such as learning, reasoning, and problem solving) and
- Adaptive behavior (i.e. conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills)
- ID is classified under the Neurodevelopmental Disorders section of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5)[1].
- DSM-5 does not use intelligence quotient (IQ) cutoffs for severity level of ID (mild, moderate, severe, profound), but rather impairments in conceptual, social, and practical domains.
- For more information on how DSM-5 handles this cutoffs, please see the DSM-5 itself[1].
- DSM-5 does not use intelligence quotient (IQ) cutoffs for severity level of ID (mild, moderate, severe, profound), but rather impairments in conceptual, social, and practical domains.
- ID replaces the DSM-IV term "mental retardation" (MR)[2].
- In this prior multiaxial system, the diagnosis of mental retardation was placed on Axis II.
- IQ cutoffs for mental retardation in DSM-IV were: mild (IQ 50-55 to ~70), moderate (IQ 35-40 to 50-55), severe (IQ 20-25 to 35-40), and profound (IQ < 20-25).
There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.
Last updated: September 3, 2017
Citation
Williams, J. C, and Na Y Ji. "Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder)." Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide, 2017. Johns Hopkins Guides, www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787033/all/Intellectual_Disability__Intellectual_Developmental_Disorder_.
Williams JC, Ji NY. Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder). Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. 2017. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787033/all/Intellectual_Disability__Intellectual_Developmental_Disorder_. Accessed December 21, 2023.
Williams, J. C., & Ji, N. Y. (2017). Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder). In Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787033/all/Intellectual_Disability__Intellectual_Developmental_Disorder_
Williams JC, Ji NY. Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder) [Internet]. In: Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. ; 2017. [cited 2023 December 21]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787033/all/Intellectual_Disability__Intellectual_Developmental_Disorder_.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - ELECT1 - Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder)ID - 787033A1 - Williams,J.,AU - Ji,Na,M.D.Y1 - 2017/09/03/BT - Johns Hopkins Psychiatry GuideUR - https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787033/all/Intellectual_Disability__Intellectual_Developmental_Disorder_DB - Johns Hopkins GuidesDP - Unbound MedicineER -
As a seasoned expert in the field, I've delved extensively into the intricate domain of intellectual disability (ID) or intellectual developmental disorder. My in-depth knowledge is substantiated by a comprehensive understanding of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), which classifies ID under the Neurodevelopmental Disorders section.
The DSM-5, a pivotal reference in psychiatry, refrains from using intelligence quotient (IQ) cutoffs for severity levels of ID. Instead, it emphasizes impairments in conceptual, social, and practical domains. This departure from the DSM-IV term "mental retardation" (MR) is significant. In the previous multiaxial system, MR diagnoses were placed on Axis II, with specific IQ cutoffs for different severity levels—mild, moderate, severe, and profound.
In the current DSM-5 framework, the focus shifts toward assessing limitations in adaptive behavior, encompassing conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. This nuanced approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of ID, moving beyond the limitations imposed by rigid IQ cutoffs.
It's crucial to note that the DSM-5's handling of cutoffs and its departure from the term "mental retardation" represent a paradigm shift in the conceptualization of intellectual disability. For those seeking a deeper understanding, the DSM-5 itself serves as an invaluable resource.
This information is drawn from the work of experts in the field, J. Corey Williams and Na Young Ji, M.D., as documented in their authoritative piece titled "Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder)" published in the Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide in 2017. The article not only outlines the definitions and classifications but also provides a historical context by highlighting the transition from DSM-IV terminology.
For those keen on further exploration, the complete article can be accessed through the Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide website. This source, coupled with the reputable citations from Williams and Ji, ensures a robust foundation for comprehending the complexities of intellectual disability.
