What is the difference between an intellectual disability and a mental illness?

What is the difference between an intellectual disability and a mental illness?

Intellectual disability and mental illness are often confused. However, they are very different! Only if you know about the differences, both groups can be treated adequately. Mental illness is an illness and can be cured, whereas intellectual disability is a life-long condition.

Are Learning Disabilities intellectual disabilities and mental illness the same?

An intellectual disability describes below-average IQ and a lack of skills needed for daily living. This condition used to be called “mental retardation.” A learning disability refers to weaknesses in certain academic skills. Reading, writing and math are the main ones.

Is Intellectual Disability a psychiatric disorder?

Intellectual disability (ID), previously referred to as mental retardation, is most often associated with other medical and psychiatric conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and other emotional and behavioral disorders.

What counts as an intellectual disability?

Intellectual disability1 involves problems with general mental abilities that affect functioning in two areas: intellectual functioning (such as learning, problem solving, judgement) adaptive functioning (activities of daily life such as communication and independent living)

How do you qualify for intellectual disability?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Sec. 300.8) states that an intellectual disability “means significantly subaverage functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.”

Can intellectual disability improve?

Intellectual disability is not a disease and cannot be cured, however early diagnosis and ongoing interventions can improve adaptive functioning throughout one’s childhood and into adulthood. With ongoing support and interventions, children with intellectual disability can learn to do many things.