What is intellectual disability?

Intellectual disability is a lifelong condition that affects a person’s intellectual skills and their behaviour in different situations. It can include difficulties in communication, memory, understanding, problem solving, self-care, social and emotional skills and physical skills. People with intellectual disability have the same feelings, rights, and aspirations as everyone else. Intellectual disability does not define who a person is, how they should be treated or how they want to live. 

This guide describes intellectual disability and includes topics such as: 

• the causes of intellectual disability
• diagnosis of intellectual disability
• support for people with intellectual disability.

It also includes information about how to talk about intellectual disability and how to increase the voice of people with intellectual disability.