What is the primary characteristic of intellectual disabilities?

The primary characteristic of intellectual disabilities is limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors. Individuals with intellectual disabilities typically exhibit significant limitations in their cognitive abilities, which can affect their reasoning, problem-solving skills, and overall intellectual functioning. This impairment is often assessed using standardized testing, which reveals a cognitive functioning level considerably below what is considered average.

In addition to intellectual functioning, adaptive behaviors are crucial in the context of intellectual disabilities. These behaviors refer to the skills necessary for daily living, including communication, self-care, social skills, and functional academics. Limitations in adaptive behaviors can significantly impact an individual’s ability to navigate daily life and interact effectively within their environment.

Other characteristics mentioned in the question, such as impaired motor skills, difficulty in communication, and social withdrawal, while they may co-occur in some individuals with intellectual disabilities, do not define the condition itself. The essence of intellectual disabilities lies in the dual domains of measurable intellectual functioning and the practical application of that functioning in the form of adaptive skills. Thus, limitations in these two areas comprehensively encapsulate the core nature of intellectual disabilities.