Symptoms of Intellectual Disability in Children

Jul 19, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My nephew is now over three years old. He seems quite dull and slow in learning new things. I suspect he might have a low IQ. Could you please tell me what are the common characteristics of children with low intelligence?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
The main manifestations of intellectual disability in children may include: 1. Learning difficulties: Learning difficulties may be caused by multiple factors, including insufficient cognitive ability, mismatched learning styles, unfavorable learning environments, and psychosocial factors. Intellectual disability may limit learning ability, making it difficult for children to keep up with their peers' academic progress at school. 2. Poor memory: Intellectual disability in children may also manifest as poor memory, such as attention deficits, insufficient working memory, and slow cognitive processing speed. Emotional problems, pressure from the learning environment, and lifestyle factors may also affect memory. 3. Language expression disorders: Language expression disorders may be related to delayed language development, language impairments, and other neurodevelopmental problems. Intellectual disability may affect a child's language development and expressive abilities, making it difficult to express thoughts and feelings verbally. 4. Inattention: Difficulty concentrating may be a manifestation of cognitive disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and may also be related to emotional problems, learning difficulties, and environmental factors. Intellectual disability may make it difficult for children to focus attention, thus affecting learning and daily life. 5. Social difficulties: Social difficulties may be related to a child's cognitive and emotional development and may also be influenced by family environment and social experiences. Intellectual disability may cause children to experience difficulties and frustrations in social interactions, making it hard for them to establish positive relationships with peers.