The key difference between autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability is that autism spectrum disorder is a condition that causes significant social, communication, and behavioural challenges, while intellectual disability is a condition that causes limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour that cover many day-to-day social and practical skills.
Developmental disorders are a group of conditions due to the impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavioural areas. They include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, intellectual disability, learning disability, vision impairment, and other developmental delays. Autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability are the most common developmental disorders present in humans.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder
3. What is Intellectual Disability
4. Similarities – Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability
5. Autism Spectrum Disorder vs Intellectual Disability in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Autism Spectrum Disorder vs Intellectual Disability
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that causes significant social, communication, and behavioural challenges. It is a neuro-developmental disorder that affects the three main areas of development normally referred to as a triad of impairments: social interaction and understating, communication and flexibility of thinking, and behaviour. Though the basic features are similar in many children with ASD, it is important to know the fact that ASD is a spectrum disorder. Hence, no two children with ASD will be completely alike.
The signs and symptoms of ASD may include making little eye contact, appearing not to look at people who are talking, being slow to respond, having difficulties with back and forth conversation, displaying facial expressions and gestures that do not match what is being said, having an unusual tone of voice, having difficulties to understanding another person’s point of view, difficulties in adjusting to social situations, repeating certain behaviours, having a lasting interest in specific topics, becoming upset by slight changes in a normal routine, being more sensitive or less sensitive than other people to sensory inputs (lights, sound, clothing, temperature), sleep problems, irritability, and sometimes intellectual disability.
Researchers do not know the primary cause of ASD. But some factors may increase the development of ASD: having a sibling with ASD, having older parents, having certain genetic conditions (Down syndrome or fragile X syndrome), and having a very low birth weight. This condition can be diagnosed by evaluating a person’s behaviour and development, neurological examination, blood tests, and hearing tests. Furthermore, treatment options for ASD include behavioural and communication therapies, educational therapies, family therapies, other therapies (speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy), and medications (antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants).
What is Intellectual Disability?
Intellectual disability (ID) is a condition that causes limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behaviour that covers many day-to-day social and practical skills. Intellectual disability that was earlier known as mental retardation (MR) is characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for every day life. According to the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Delays, an individual has an intellectual disability if he/she meets three criteria: IQ is below 70-75, significant limitations in two or three adaptive areas, and the conditions manifesting themselves before the age of 18.
The signs and symptoms of intellectual disability include rolling over, sitting up, crawling or walking late, talking late, having trouble with talking, slow to master things like potty training, dressing, and feeding themselves, difficulty remembering things, inability to connect actions with consequences, behaviour problems like explosive tantrums, difficulty with problem-solving or logical thinking, seizures, mood disorders, motor skills impairment, vision problems or hearing loss. The causes of intellectual disability include genetic conditions (Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome), problems during pregnancy (alcohol, drug use, malnutrition, certain infections, or preeclampsia), problems during childbirth (deprived of oxygen during childbirth), illness or injury, and idiopathic.
This condition can be diagnosed through evaluation of intelligence and adaptive behaviours, blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests to look for structural problems in the brain, electroencephalogram (EEG) for evidence of seizures, hearing tests, and neurological examination. Furthermore, the treatment options for intellectual disability include occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, effective skills training, educational approaches, orthomolecular therapy (molecular balance via nutritional supplements), medications (nootropic drugs), talk therapy, and genetic manipulation.
What are the Similarities Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability?
- Autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability are the most common developmental disorders present in humans.
- Both conditions may have intellectual problems.
- Both conditions can occur due to genetic disorders such as Down syndrome or fragile X syndrome.
- The onset of both conditions occurs early in the lifetime.
- In both conditions, children are most affected.
- They are treated with supportive therapy.
What is the Difference Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability?
Autism spectrum disorder is a condition that causes significant social, communication, and behavioural challenges, while intellectual disability is a condition that causes limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour that covers many day-to-day social and practical skills. Thus, this is the key difference between autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Furthermore, the onset of autism spectrum disorder is before three years of age, while the onset of intellectual disability is before 18 years of age.
The below infographic presents the differences between autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Autism Spectrum Disorder vs Intellectual Disability
Autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability are two developmental disorders seen in humans. Autism spectrum disorder causes significant social, communication, and behavioural challenges. In contrast, intellectual disability causes limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behaviour that cover many day-to-day social and practical skills. So, this is the key difference between autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability.
Reference:
1. “Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disability (ID) Determinants in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC).” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
2. “Intellectual Disability: Definition, Symptoms, Treatment, and More.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Signs of Autism” By MissLunaRose12 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia