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According to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, an intellectual disability is "a condition characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior that originates before the age of 22."

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Intellectual Functioning

Intellectual functioning-also called intelligence-refers to general mental capacity, such as learning, reasoning, problem solving, and so on.

One way to measure intellectual functioning is an IQ test. Generally, an IQ test score of around 70 or as high as 75 indicates a significant limitation in intellectual functioning.

Adaptive Behavior

Adaptive behavior is the collection of conceptual, social, and practical skills that are learned and performed by people in their everyday lives.

Conceptual skills-language and literacy; money, time, and number concepts; and self-direction.
Social skills-interpersonal skills, social responsibility, self-esteem, gullibility, naïveté (i.e., wariness), social problem solving, and the ability to follow rules/obey laws and to avoid being victimized.

Practical skills-activities of daily living (personal care), occupational skills, healthcare, travel/transportation, schedules/routines, safety, use of money, use of the telephone.

Standardized tests can also determine limitations in adaptive behavior.

Age of Onset

The condition originates during the developmental period, which is defined as before the age of 22. Intellectual disability is one of several conditions known collectively as developmental disabilities.

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Intellectual functioning-also called intelligence-refers to general mental capacity, such as learning, reasoning, problem solving, and so on. One way to measure intellectual functioning is an IQ test. Generally, an IQ test score of around 70 or as high as 75 indicates a significant limitation in intellectual functioning.

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Down Syndrome

Fragile X Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome

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interpersonal skills, interaction and play, dealing with conflict and interpreting social cues or body language

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Cognitive Functions such as learning, problem solving and judgement.

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activities of daily life such as communication skills and social participation.

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1. Presume Competence.

2. Teach, Re-Teach, and Reinforce.

3. Provide Supportive Materials.

4. Be Precise and Detailed.

5. Appropriate Expectations.

6. Facilitate Relationships.

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Provide supplemental materials that are designed to aid attention, memory, and avoid frustration:

multiplication table

vocabulary word list

quick fact sheet

picture guides/visual aids

alternate modes of communication (ex. a communicator)

verbal or written reminders

simplifying and repeating directions

immediate feedback (as immediate as reasonably possible)

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Allow the student to communicate through different means

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provide extra time

allow to be taken in another room - quieter and/or with fewer distractions

assistance with use of reader, scribe, or word processor

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Noise cancelling head phones

Sensory boxes,

fidget toys

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touch screens

adaptive keyboards

voice recognition software

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Software that reads text outload

Large-print books

calculators

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1. Audible

2. Co:writer Universal

3. VisionBoard Keyboard

4. Spanish Talking Calculator

5. Ginger

6. PXC 550 Wireless

7. Inspiration

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Assistive Technological solutions are improving accessibility options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. First defined in federal law with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (IDEA), assistive technology can include any software, device, or equipment used to bolster or maintain the functional capabilities of people with disabilities. For this article, we'll focus on a few assistive technological solutions that have or are improving accessibility for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

1. Audible

Whether the issue is reading problems, vision complications, or a number of other barriers to accessing traditional books, Audible is a powerful tool that can be used. In fact, Audible is the leading provider of premium digital audio content and entertainment solutions on the Internet.

It boasts a massive library of over 215,000 different programs from the top broadcasters, publishers, magazines, entertainers, and business information providers. People with developmental disabilities, ADD, dyslexia, or any other challenge that could prevent them from reading can make excellent use of Audible to access content.

Learn more about Audible.

2. Co:writer Universal

Co:writer Universal is a comprehensive software for Google Chrome and iOS with exceptional word prediction abilities. While it can be used by anyone, it's useful for helping people with IDDs communicate more easily. Users can access the speech recognition software or enter data through traditional means.

In either case, Co:writer universal has proven to be helpful to people with autism, learning disabilities, dyslexia, or other challenges with writing. In addition to helping those with intellectual disabilities write, Co:writer Universal can also help bolster their writing style and grammar.

Learn more about Co:writer Universal.

3. VisionBoard KeyBoard

The VisionBoard KeyBoard is an extremely helpful assistive technology for anyone who may have difficulty using the QWERTY style keyboard or for people with low vision or poor fine motor skills. This keyboard has over-sized keys that measure .5" x .5" on top, so users will enjoy easy viewing and additional space between the keys.

It also features large-print numbers and letters, and all letters are high contrast to help ease typing and reduce eye-strain. You can order the VisionBoard with white keys or yellow keys with black print.

Learn more about the VisionBoard KeyBoard

4. Spanish Talking Calculator

The Spanish Talking Calculator is an innovative solution designed with speech technology that will read numbers out loud that are input. The Spanish Talking calculator can be especially helpful for helping adults solve math problems. It functions identical to a standard calculator by performing math operations based on the user's input and presenting the answers on a large display.

However, the Spanish Talking Calculator has an extra feature of reading out loud which has proven to be helpful to people with certain disabilities. Best of all, this key assistive technology is portable, which means adults and students can easily carry the calculator around with them to solve math problems on the fly.

Learn more about talking calculators.

5. Ginger

Ginger is a cutting-edge assistive technological solution that can quickly provide definitions of words and check spelling. This tool can be helpful for people with a range of disabilities. Ginger can be used to help strengthen writing skills because it works to correct mistakes as they write. It can also provide assistance by reading out content that has been written.

Ginger and similar assistive technologies are ideal for use in the classroom as well as in the workplace, especially in instances where an adult with disabilities has to engage in writing activities. In addition, Ginger can be downloaded on different devices.

Learn more about Ginger.

6. PXC 550 Wireless

PXC 550 Wireless improves accessibility for adults with developmental disabilities by allowing them to reduce or eliminate certain noises that may hinder concentration. People can use these headphones to bolster on daily activities as well as complete jobs faster by limiting distractions from unnecessary noises.

Users can access the easy-to-use control panel and voice system to quickly choose and adjust settings. This technology offers a 30-hour battery life for extended periods use and ample time to finish tasks. And with Bluetooth functionality, you can pair the PXC 550 Wireless with many devices.

Learn more about the PXC 550.

7. Inspiration

Inspiration is a useful assistive technology that can be used as a mind map or graphic organizer. Graphic organizers allow users to simply dump data or information in a relatively random and unstructured manner and then later work through the data to create a course of action. This can be especially helpful in professional as well as classroom settings.

Based on the nature of the work, graphic organizers can be used to map out a sequence of events, prompt the user to describe an object, or complete some other task that can help in planning. Inspiration can be downloaded on Windows devices and Mac devices to help users quickly organize ideas into a visual form to to best understand concepts and develop new ideas.

Learn more about Inspiration.

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7 Cool Assistive Technologies Driving Accessibility for Intellectual Disabilities

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Read CMA's list of 8 highly-effective and innovative assistive technologies driving accessibility for adults with intellectual disabilities.