Cognitive Delay

The American Psychiatric Association definition of Mental Retardation, as published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM IV 1994) is used to define cognitive delay. A child would present with mental retardation if all of the following are present:

• significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning

• defined by IQ level below 70

• significant limitations in adaptive functioning in at least 2 of the following skill areas:

• communication,

• self care

• home living

• social/interpersonal skills

• use of community resources

• self direction

• functional academic skills

• work

• leisure

• health and safety

• onset must occur before age 18 years.

The degree of severity has been articulated as follows:

Mild            IQ level 50-55 to approximately 70

Moderate    IQ level 35-49 to 50-55

Severe         IQ level 20-25 to 35-40

Profound     IQ level below 20 or 25 (DSM IV, 1994)

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