Which category involves below-average intellectual functioning and adaptive skills, including examples like Down syndrome?

Which category involves below-average intellectual functioning and adaptive skills, including examples like Down syndrome?

• A. Intellectual Disabilities
• B. Hearing Impairments
• C. Deafness
• D. Specific Learning Disabilities

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is that intellectual disability is defined by both below-average intellectual functioning and impairments in adaptive behavior, which include daily living skills, communication, and social skills. This combination typically begins during the developmental period, and conditions like Down syndrome are classic examples within this category because they involve general cognitive delays along with challenges in everyday functioning. That combination—cognitive below-average functioning plus adaptive skill deficits—best fits the description. Sensory impairments such as hearing impairments or deafness affect hearing and communication but do not by themselves define a global intellectual limitation or widespread adaptive skill deficits. A specific learning disability, on the other hand, involves difficulties in particular academic skills despite generally average or near-average intelligence, so it doesn’t match the notion of broad adaptive-functioning challenges accompanying lower cognitive functioning.

The key idea here is that intellectual disability is defined by both below-average intellectual functioning and impairments in adaptive behavior, which include daily living skills, communication, and social skills. This combination typically begins during the developmental period, and conditions like Down syndrome are classic examples within this category because they involve general cognitive delays along with challenges in everyday functioning.

That combination—cognitive below-average functioning plus adaptive skill deficits—best fits the description. Sensory impairments such as hearing impairments or deafness affect hearing and communication but do not by themselves define a global intellectual limitation or widespread adaptive skill deficits. A specific learning disability, on the other hand, involves difficulties in particular academic skills despite generally average or near-average intelligence, so it doesn’t match the notion of broad adaptive-functioning challenges accompanying lower cognitive functioning.