What causes intellectual disability?
Some disabling conditions classified as developmental disabilities—such as autism or cerebral palsy—might include intellectual disabilities. Other developmental disabilities, such as Down Syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and fragile X syndrome, could well include intellectual disabilities. Intellectual disabilities could also be caused by social factors, such as the level of child stimulation and adult responsiveness, and educational factors, such as the availability of family and educational supports that can promote mental development and greater adaptive skills. Nevertheless, according to the AAIDD manual, Mental Retardation: Definition, Classification and Systems of Supports, approximately 40 to 50 percent of the causes of intellectual disabilities currently have no identifiable origin.
