A child with an intellectual disability has impairments in their intellectual functioning or everyday functioning. The child may experience problems in adaptive behaviours such as eating, taking care of themselves, reading, speaking, or interacting with others. Intellectual disabilities can occur due to reasons such as genetic conditions, problems during childbirth and pregnancy, illness, or injury. In many children, the causes can be unknown.
Signs of intellectual disabilities include:
Psychological therapy can help the child manage their intellectual disability through the development of a comprehensive treatment and education plan tailored toward both the child and their parents and/or carers.