Intellectual disability: developing a definition

This paper identifies the need for a shared definition of intellectual disability for health and social services.

Intellectual disability is generally described in broad terms, i.e. a disability which started before adulthood; reduced ability to cope independently due to a reduced ability to understand new information and learn new skills.

The first part of this paper reviews a range of definitions; each has advantages but also serious disadvantages. As a result, this paper concludes with a proposal for a composite definition. It is suggested that this presents a very practical way of defining the eligible population of those needing specialist services. This would enable resources to be focused on those most in need, but without neglecting those who would fall outside the scope of a more simplistic definition.

Underpinning this discussion is the acknowledgement that learning disability services provide the support that people require by virtue of their learning (and associated) disabilities, and are not a substitute for the general services available to the rest of the population.