Intellectual Disability: A Concept in Need of Revision?

Abstract

It is suggested that the way the term intellectual disability is used gives the impression that it is a discrete entity which can be diagnosed simply by assessing an individual’s level of adaptive behaviour and IQ. It is argued that we are not able to measure either adaptive behaviour or IQ with sufficient accuracy. A looser definition of intellectual disability is suggested, acknowledging the problems in measurement and emphasising the need for clinical judgment.