Table 2 Lay descriptions for different levels of severity of intellectual disability: GBD 2015
Severity levels | Lay descriptions |
|---|---|
Borderline intellectual functioning | Is slow in learning at school. As an adult, the person has some difficulty doing complex or unfamiliar tasks but otherwise functions independently. |
ID/mental retardation: mild | Has low intelligence and is slow in learning at school. As an adult, the person can live independently, but often needs help to raise children and can only work at simple supervised jobs |
ID/mental retardation: moderate | Has low intelligence, and is slow in learning to speak and to do even simple tasks. As an adult, the person requires a lot of support to live independently and raise children. The person can only work at the simplest supervised jobs. |
ID/mental retardation: severe | Has very low intelligence and cannot speak more than a few words, needs constant supervision and help with most daily activities, and can do only the simplest tasks. |
ID/mental retardation: profound | Has very low intelligence, has almost no language, and does not understand even the most basic requests or instructions. The person requires constant supervision and help for all activities |