Moderate Intellectual Disability: Characteristics, Symptoms and Treatment

Kids with Moderate Intellectual Disability (MID) face limitations in reasoning, communication, learning and problem-solving. They may even find it tough to carry out everyday activities. This condition occurs before 18 and can have a  lifelong impact on the freedom and development of an individual. 

Speech delays are one of the most common moderate ID symptoms. Children with MID can accomplish their goals through training, special education and support services. An educational specialist or psychologist can diagnose a moderate learning disability. He/she will evaluate the weak points and strengths of an individual while providing suitable accommodations and interventions.

Definition of Moderate Learning Disability

A moderate intellectual disability is a learning disability that affects the adaptive, social and cognitive skills of an individual. These could be language, memory, social interactions, math, writing, social interactions, everyday social skills, and reasoning.

Moderate Intellectual Disability IQ Range

Children with MID have an IQ between 35 to 49. 

Characteristics of Moderate Intellectual Disability

Moderate intellectual disability characteristics include:

• They can complete simple tasks under supervision.
• They may find it tough to deal with social situations, judgment and social cues.
• They can learn basic writing, counting and reading skills.
• They can communicate easily.

• They can care for themselves on their own and travel solo to nearby areas.
• They look physically impaired and may show developmental delays in motor and speech skills.
• With proper instructions, they can move to strange places. 
• They can learn hygiene, basic health, self-help and safety skills.

Moderate Intellectual Disability Symptoms

Signs of mental retardation moderate include:

• Find it tough to manage stress and adapt to new situations.
• Delay in motor, language and social skills development.
• Reduced self-esteem.
• Low reading/writing proficiency and academic success.
• Hard to stick to and understand social rules and standards.
• More prone to behavioural and mental health problems.
• Difficulty with problem-solving, abstract thinking and reasoning.

Moderate Mental Retardation Treatment

Although there is no cure for MID, the following treatments can help patients live a high quality of life.

Behavioural Therapy 

Behavioural therapy is a great solution to minimize self-injury, aggression and other challenging behaviour. It typically uses positive feedback and foundation to shape and alter the behaviour of patients.

Medicine

Few drugs can help kids with MID manage and treat a few MID signs or epilepsy, ADHD, depression and other co-occurring conditions that may affect the condition. They are also effective in managing seizures, focus and emotions.

Special Education

Special education helps those with mild intellectual disabilities build vocational, academic and life skills.

Community and Family Support

It involves giving financial, emotional and practical support to those with MID along with their families.

FAQ’s

Can people with moderate intellectual disability talk?

Usually, most individuals with MID possess little or zero speech. They depend on gestures and body language to express their emotions.

What age is moderate intellectual disability?

Moderate ID occurs in childhood. Those with the condition function at nearly 6 to 8 years as adults. To maintain freedom in performing everyday activities, they require considerable ongoing support like adults.

What causes moderate intellectual disability?

Common causes of ID are:

• Fragile X syndrome
• Birth defects
• Down syndrome 
• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• Infections
• Genetic conditions 

These conditions typically occur prior to birth. However, other causes occur immediately after birth or while a baby is born.

Can moderate intellectual disability be cured?

Generally, there is no cure for this kind of learning disability. But kids with such a condition can learn to do numerous things, but take more time than other kids because they learn differently.

Can people with moderate intellectual disability live independently?

Yes. With the help and special interventions early in life, people with moderate ID can live and work independently.