What is an Intellectual Disability?
An Intellectual Disability involves significant limitations in both cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior. This means a child may have difficulty learning new information, solving problems, or thinking through tasks, along with challenges in everyday life skills such as communication, self-care, social interaction, and independence.
These difficulties typically appear during the developmental years and can vary in severity. Intellectual disabilities are generally described as mild, moderate, or severe based on the level of support the individual needs across different settings. Understanding these patterns helps guide meaningful supports at home, in school, and in the community.
Common Areas Assessed:
Cognitive Assessment (IQ Testing)
Assesses how a student processes information, identifying cognitive strengths and weaknesses. These patterns help identify how the student learns best and whether there are processing challenges that may impact academic performance.Academic Achievement
Standardized testing may be used to assess skills in reading, writing, and math. This helps identify how cognitive delays may be affecting academic performance. Scores are compared to age or grade-level expectations to help determine where support is needed.Adaptive Functioning
Assesses practical, everyday skills in areas such as communication, self-care, and social interaction. These results offer insight into how well an individual functions in daily life, both independently and in social settings.
Please Note: Every evaluation is individually tailored. The specific tools and procedures used may vary depending on the unique needs of the individual being assessed.