The DSM IV states that individuals with moderate intellectual disabilities--trainable mental retardation in older terminology--have IQ scores between 35 and 55 and can generally communicate fairly well. Like all persons diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, these people learn more slowly than their peers and have impairments in at least two other areas of functional skill, such as communication, social skills, academic achievement, or self-care skills. In spite of differences, however, these individuals can lead meaningful and fulfilling lives with some assistance.
Intellectual Characteristics
Trainable mentally handicapped persons usually learn best with repetitive teaching techniques, as well as those that use multiple modalities for additional emphasis. Because it takes them longer to master concepts than non-disabled peers, most have dramatically lower academic achievement levels. Moderately intellectually impaired adults often have only minimal literacy and numeracy skills, but can learn simple repetitive tasks that help them to care for themselves. Many learn to do basic household tasks independently and can be taught to do simple jobs in the community such as custodial work.
Adaptive Characteristics
Persons with moderate intellectual impairment function best with strict routines and structure. They often cannot understand how to change their behavior to respond to unexpected circumstances. While they can be taught new responses with effort and direct teaching techniques, trainable mentally handicapped individuals characteristically have trouble dealing with unfamiliar problems. Difficulty with adaptive behavior is often apparent in their social interactions, as well. Individuals with this degree of handicap often are not able to comply with social expectations of non-disabled peers and so might have difficulty getting along in the community or might be labeled as "strange."
Physical Characteristics
Persons with moderate intellectual disabilities have a wide range of physical traits. Some evidence no differences from the non-disabled population. Others have distinctive facial features, body types or ways of movement that mark them as being disabled. There are a number of identifiable syndromes that have moderate retardation as one of a constellation of symptoms. Persons with genetic conditions such as Down syndrome and Williams syndrome, for example, have distinctive facial features and other traits that identify them as likely to be moderately intellectually impaired.
