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Intellectual Disability

Scope Note: 
Intellectual functioning that is two or more standard deviations below the mean (usually below 70 IQ range), concurrent with deficits in adaptive behavior, and manifested during the developmental period. Prior to 2015, "Mental Retardation" was used to index this concept. (Note: Use a more specific term if possible)
Category: Disabilities
Broader Terms
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Narrower Terms
Down Syndrome
Mild Intellectual Disability
Moderate Intellectual Disability
Severe Intellectual Disability
Use this term instead of
Cognitive Impairments (Intellectual Disability)
Mental Retardation
Mentally Handicapped (1966 1980)
Retardation (1966 1980)
Retarded Children (1966 1980)
Special Olympics (2004)
Related Terms
Applied Behavior Analysis
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Cerebral Palsy
Developmental Disabilities
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Genetic Disorders
Intelligence
Learning Problems
Neurological Impairments
Special Health Problems
Added to ERIC: 1/1/2008