What is it?
Intellectual Disability (previously called mental retardation) refers to significant limitations in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem-solving) and adaptive behaviour (daily living skills). It typically appears before the age of 18 and affects a child’s ability to learn and function independently across environments.
What causes it?
Intellectual disability can be caused by a variety of genetic, developmental, and environmental factors, such as:
- Genetic conditions like Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome
- Complications during pregnancy or birth (e.g., oxygen deprivation, infections)
- Brain injury or severe illness in early childhood
- Malnutrition or exposure to toxins during development
- Unknown causes in some cases, despite thorough testing
What are the possible symptoms?
The severity may range from mild to profound, and symptoms often include:
- Delayed developmental milestones (e.g., walking, talking, toilet training)
- Difficulty understanding instructions or solving problems
- Trouble with memory, attention, or reasoning
- Challenges in daily self-care tasks and age-appropriate independence
- Struggles in school, peer interaction, and adapting to new situations
What do we do?
IQ-related concerns are addressed by Dr. Prabhojit with a structured, strengths-based, and family-inclusive approach.
Treatment includes:
Formal IQ testing
and developmental assessment to determine the level of functioning
01
Special Education Planning
and support for academic and life skills development
02
Therapy sessions
(speech, occupational, behavioural) tailored to the child’s needs
03
Parental guidance
and community resources to provide consistent care
04
Coordination with schools
to provide learning accommodations and structure
05