Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD/Intellectual Disability)

What is Intellectual Developmental Disorder?

Intellectual Developmental Disorder or “Intellectual Disability” refers to differences, typically present from birth or early childhood, in an individual’s brain that impact both intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors. Intellectual differences may include difficulties with learning, reasoning, and solving problems.

Adaptive behavior differences may include difficulties with everyday skills for living (i.e. completing household chores, managing finances, etc) and socializing (i.e. making friends, carrying conversations, etc). The impact of IDD varies greatly, with some individuals requiring minimal support and others requiring substantial support and care.

    • Difficulty learning and grasping academic concepts

    • Problems with judgement and critical thinking

    • Struggles to meet age-related academic expectations

    • Difficulty understanding finances and money management

    • Slow to learn and/or regularly fails to complete self-care items independently like bathing or brushing teeth

    • Difficulty learning how to complete household chores

    • Slower to learn social cues, and may overstep social boundaries

    • Minimal concern over new people, may engage openly with strangers

    • Difficulty making and maintaining friendships

Intellectual Developmental Disorder may significantly impact an individual’s ability to learn, socialize, and complete activities of daily living in a variety of ways. Testing for Intellectual Developmental Disorder can help connect individuals to necessary supports for learning, developing skills for daily living, school and social resources, as well as foster a better sense of self-understanding and communication between family members and friends. With appropriate diagnosis and supports, many individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disorder can have a great quality of life and function with more independence.

Formal Intellectual Developmental Disorder testing is necessary to provide accurate diagnoses, rule-out other possible mental health concerns that could be present, and can provide useful recommendations and resources.

Why test for Intellectual Developmental Disorder?

What does Intellectual Developmental Disorder testing involve?

Clinical Intake

  • Review of intellectual functioning and related symptoms

  • Review of adaptive behavior and life skills and related symptoms

  • Review of other possible symptoms of mental health concerns

  • Comprehensive psychological, physical, social, academic, and occupational history

  • Discussion of client’s goals for testing

  • Comprehensive assessment of cognitive functioning across domains

  • Measures of adaptive functioning

  • Self- and other- report measures of Intellectual Developmental Disorder and other psychological symptoms

  • Broadband assessment of personality and emotional functioning

  • Other assessments specifically chosen for the client based on their unique presenting concerns & goals

Testing Appointment

Feedback Session

  • Thorough written testing report with recommendations and referrals provided

  • Review results of the testing

  • Diagnoses are provided and explained

  • Explore recommendations for treatment

  • Review any referrals that may be provided

  • Process the results and ask any questions