An intellectual disability also referred to as a developmental disability, is a term used to describe any condition that includes a lifelong impairment to a person’s ability to learn or adapt to their environment. It refers to a group of disorders in one or more central nervous system processes, causing a disability to appear in one or several of the following: reasoning, processing, memory, calculation, coordination, social interaction and emotional articulation.
Common challenges include needing assistance with:
- Personal care skills (e.g. getting dressed, going to the bathroom, self-feeding)
- Communication and social skills (e.g. having conversations, using the phone)
- School or work skills
- Learning routines