Intellectual disabilities are defined as subnormal intellectual development or functioning due to congenital causes, brain injury, or disease and characterized by deficiencies in learning, social, or vocational functioning. Which term matches this definition?

Intellectual disabilities are defined as subnormal intellectual development or functioning due to congenital causes, brain injury, or disease and characterized by deficiencies in learning, social, or vocational functioning. Which term matches this definition?

• A. Learning disabilities
• B. Intellectual disabilities
• C. Developmental delay
• D. Autism

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is recognizing a condition defined by both limited intellectual abilities and limitations in adapting to daily life, with onset before adulthood. Intellectual disabilities describe subnormal intellectual functioning along with deficits in learning, social, or practical/vocational skills, typically arising from congenital factors, brain injury, or disease. Because the definition explicitly ties together reduced intelligence with difficulties in everyday functioning, this term fits perfectly. Learning disabilities refer to difficulties in specific academic skills (like reading or math) despite normal overall intelligence, so they don’t capture broad adaptive challenges. Developmental delay is a broader label used for children who may be behind in milestones and not necessarily tied to the same pattern of adaptive impairments or etiologies. Autism is a separate neurodevelopmental condition characterized mainly by social-communication challenges and restricted behaviors; while some individuals with autism may have lower intellectual functioning, the defining features aren’t described by the given statement.

The main idea here is recognizing a condition defined by both limited intellectual abilities and limitations in adapting to daily life, with onset before adulthood. Intellectual disabilities describe subnormal intellectual functioning along with deficits in learning, social, or practical/vocational skills, typically arising from congenital factors, brain injury, or disease. Because the definition explicitly ties together reduced intelligence with difficulties in everyday functioning, this term fits perfectly.

Learning disabilities refer to difficulties in specific academic skills (like reading or math) despite normal overall intelligence, so they don’t capture broad adaptive challenges. Developmental delay is a broader label used for children who may be behind in milestones and not necessarily tied to the same pattern of adaptive impairments or etiologies. Autism is a separate neurodevelopmental condition characterized mainly by social-communication challenges and restricted behaviors; while some individuals with autism may have lower intellectual functioning, the defining features aren’t described by the given statement.