Pediatric intellectual disability

What is are pediatric intellectual disabilities?

An intellectual disability is a condition that causes a child to learn or grow more slowly than other kids their age. It may take longer for a child with an intellectual disability to learn to speak, walk or perform daily tasks.

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric intellectual disabilities?

An intellectual disability can be mild, moderate or severe.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the signs and symptoms include:

• Sitting up, crawling or walking later than other children of similar age

• Learning to talk later or having difficulty speaking

• Difficulty remembering information

• Trouble understanding the rules of social behavior

• Struggling to understand the outcomes of actions

• Difficulty solving problems

How are pediatric intellectual disabilities diagnosed?

Our first goal is to investigate and better understand what is causing an intellectual disability. We might use the following tools for diagnosis:

• Genetic testing - A simple blood test that shows us if an intellectual disability is caused by a genetic problem or trait.

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) - This test uses electrodes (tiny stainless-steel discs made) on the scalp to see if electrical activity in the brain might be causing intellectual disability.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - This is an imaging test that can help doctors see differences in the brain that might cause intellectual disability.

• Psychometric tests - These tests include activities, assessments and observations to better understand your child’s skills, knowledge and personality traits.

What are the causes of pediatric intellectual disabilities?

Scientists don’t know exactly what causes intellectual disabilities. Studies suggest many factors play a role, including:

• Genetics

• Environmental problems (such as exposure to lead paint)

• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (if the child was exposed to drugs or alcohol in the womb)

• If a woman experienced severe trauma (like a car accident) while she was pregnant

How are pediatric intellectual disabilities treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for an intellectual disability. But the experts at Children’s Health offer a wide variety of tools and therapies that can help your child go on to a fulfilling life. Guided by your child’s pediatrician, the following specialists will work together to help your child and your family:

• Neurodevelopmental delay (NDD) - These specialists have deep experience in understanding how a child’s brain works and recommending strategies that can help kids manage intellectual disabilities.

• Educational specialists - Depending on the severity of their intellectual disability, children may learn more slowly than other kids their age or need to be enrolled in special education classes. Our educational specialists can help identify your child’s learning challenges, and work with schools to be sure your child gets the support they need.

• Speech-language - Some kids with intellectual disability have trouble speaking. Our speech-language pathologists work with these kids, one syllable at a time, to help them express what they’re thinking and feeling.

• Psychiatrists - It’s common for a child with an intellectual disability to have a psychiatric disorder (such as depression or anxiety). A psychiatrist can provide talk therapy or medication to help manage these conditions and improve your child’s mental health.