NBPTS Exceptional Needs Specialist Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

The term "intellectual disability" specifically refers to significantly subnormal cognitive functioning, which encompasses a range of limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. This definition highlights that individuals with intellectual disabilities typically exhibit difficulties in areas such as reasoning, problem-solving, planning, abstract thinking, judgment, academic learning, and experiential learning.

This classification is also characterized by an onset during the developmental period, usually before the age of 18, and is associated with additional challenges in daily living skills. While communication disorders, impairments in physical health, and multiple concurrent disabilities can coexist with intellectual disabilities, they do not define the condition itself. The core aspect that distinguishes intellectual disability is the substantial limitation in cognitive functioning, which significantly affects an individual's capacity to function independently and thrive in various environments.