Intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) makes it hard to learn, communicate, make decisions and plan. People with IDD may have trouble in school or at work and have difficulty maintaining personal relationships.
Luckily, those who have mental health concerns and co-occurring intellectual developmental disorders can find clinically excellent inpatient care at Geisinger Behavioral Health Center Northeast in Moosic, Pa.
Signs and symptoms of intellectual developmental disorder
The signs of intellectual developmental disorder range from mild difficulty learning to an inability to communicate or take care of personal needs. Most people who have IDD score between 70 and 55 on an IQ test.
Other symptoms of intellectual developmental disorder can include:
- Problems giving and getting information
- Trouble connecting consequences with actions
- Poor problem-solving skills
- Hard time speaking to and interacting with others
- Challenges with daily living skills, such as getting dressed or using the bathroom
- Learning to walk or talk later than others
- Acting out when frustrated
- Trouble keeping up at school
- Poor memory
- Difficulty understanding social cues
- Issues with making and keeping friends
- Problems managing or organizing tasks
People with symptoms of IDD and other mental health disorders can find effective inpatient treatment and focused attention from mental health and medical professionals at Geisinger Behavioral Health.
Common causes of and risk factors for intellectual developmental disorder
The most prevalent causes of and risk factors for intellectual developmental disorder are:
- Down syndrome
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
- Fragile X syndrome
- Certain infections during pregnancy
Factors such as injury, disease and trauma can also contribute to the development of IDD. These can include:
- Genetic influence
- Premature birth or multiple birth
- Alcohol or drug use during pregnancy
- Complications related to birth
- Brain injury
- Physical illness
- Infections
- Seizures
- Neglect or abuse experienced as a child
Intellectual developmental disorder can’t be cured, but education and treatment can help people learn the skills they need to live as independently as possible.
Effects of intellectual developmental disorder
Symptoms of intellectual developmental disorder can impact daily functioning and can last throughout a person’s life. The effects of IDD may include:
- Requiring teaching accommodations to learn
- Needing support to solve everyday problems
- Inability to develop or maintain relationships
- Difficulty finding and maintaining employment
- Inability to live alone
- Suicidal thoughts
- Death by suicide
Intellectual developmental disorder symptoms can range from mild learning difficulties to an inability to be left alone. There are four major categories of intellectual developmental disorder:
- Mild intellectual developmental disorder: In this category, the person shows no physical characteristics, can learn practical life skills and can maintain relationships.
- Moderate intellectual developmental disorder: The person can communicate, but not on complex levels. They may have difficulty speaking or moving. They can travel to nearby familiar places alone, but not to unfamiliar places. They may be able to live independently, though they may need extra help at home.
- Severe intellectual developmental disorder: People with severe intellectual developmental disorder can understand others but have trouble communicating. They can learn daily routines, but need supervision in some home and social situations.
- Profound intellectual developmental disorder: The person may have noticeable physical differences. They require close supervision and cannot live alone.
Having IDD doesn’t mean you’re unhealthy. You can get and stay well and live a full and active life. Treatment at an intellectual developmental disorder treatment center can help you see how to use your strengths to reach your goals.
Intellectual developmental disorder statistics
Children and adults alike can have IDD. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 2% to 3% of children in the United States have intellectual developmental disorder.
And the cause of intellectual developmental disorder isn’t always clear. In fact, according to the National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative (NDNRC), one-third of people who have IDD don’t know the cause. Co-occurring conditions often include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, seizures, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other mental health disorders.
Therapies to treat co-occurring intellectual developmental disorder
Many people with IDD have trouble regulating emotions, which can lead to disruptive behavior. By addressing emotion regulation, therapists can help patients manage and
lessen their symptoms. Along with this focus, therapists consider other mental health disorder symptoms — as well as a person’s background and goals — to determine comprehensive treatment needs. Therapies we may use to treat IDD include:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This is particularly effective in treating people who have IDD, because it addresses long-standing, reinforced thinking patterns. Studies have shown that DBT can help reduce challenging behaviors such as self-injury and improve therapy retention. This treatment allows patients to blend self-acceptance with essential changes.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): By building skills through CBT, people can start to regulate their moods. The therapist and patient work together to target negative thought patterns and shift feelings of defeat to feelings of adaptation.
- Motivational interviewing: In this technique, the therapist puts the patient in charge of their own treatment. This independence can be especially effective for people with IDD, who often feel they have little control over their daily choices. Having a chance to oversee their own goals is empowering and motivating.
- Creative arts therapies: For people who have intellectual developmental disorder, creative arts offer a way to express themselves when words may not come easily. Expressing oneself through art can be a source of self-esteem and self-confidence.
Because symptom severity ranges, personalized treatment is most effective for people who have IDD. Depending on a person’s symptoms, treatment can also include services and therapies that can help them improve daily functioning by:
- Developing social skills
- Improving fine motor skills
- Building communication skills
- Understanding rights and privacy
- Developing job skills
Co-occurring IDD inpatient treatment at Geisinger Behavioral Health
Geisinger Behavioral Health offers the following IDD therapies and services:
- Group therapy: Three times per day, meet with our behavioral health staff and other patients to discuss experiences and get feedback.
- Individual therapy: Meet with a licensed therapist to discuss fears and hopes in a private setting.
- Medication management: If medication is part of the treatment plan, meet with a psychiatrist and get help from our staff with medication daily.
Our inpatient treatment center also offers the following:
- Trauma-informed care: Whether working with an adult or a child, we keep in mind that trauma can be involved in their past or present.
- A safe, comfortable place to heal: Our facility looks out over Montage Mountain and offers outside places to relax. CCTV and door access controls keep patients safe.
- A collaborative team of professionals: When a person seeks care at Geisinger Behavioral Health, they work with a range of medical and behavioral health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, registered nurses, physician assistants, licensed therapists and licensed social workers.
- Discharge planning: Managing the symptoms of co-occurring intellectual developmental disorder and other mental health disorders can require ongoing support. We’ll help find the care providers patients need after leaving our facility to be sure they’re successful with this long-term treatment.
At our intellectual developmental disorder treatment center, you can find the care you need to see improvements in your life. Here, you’re more than a diagnosis. We’ll work with you to understand your goals and strengths and help you build the life you want.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Geisinger Behavioral Health Center Northeast.