Intellectual disabilities are not an actual medical condition. It is a label used to designate children with subnormal intellectual functioning (i.e. IQ < 70). The DSM-5 (1), AAIDD (2) and the educational system (3) are used for classification of intellectual disability. To be diagnosed with ID in any of the three systems, a low IQ (1), deficits in adaptive functioning (2) and age of onset prior to 18 years of age (3) must be present.American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)They emphasize that classification needs to depend on the degree and nature of support required. It needs to be assessed whether an individual needs services that are intermittent (1), limited (2), extensive (3) or pervasive (4). They believe that support will enhance the functioning and quality of life for individuals with ID. DSM-5This states that a significantly subaverage intellectual functioning (i.e. IQ < 70) (1), concurrent deficits or limitations in adaptive functioning (2) and onset before the age of 18 years (3) is necessary for a diagnosis. The IQ is approximately 70 because intelligence tests are not 100% accurate. There are specifiers for mild-, moderate-, severe- and profound support required. Educational systemWhile this system makes use of deficits in adaptive functioning, the main focus is on IQ cut-off scores. Financial aid is provided to meet he needs of infants and toddlers with developmental delays. A developmental delay also makes these children eligible for special education. Global developmental delay refers to a diagnosis which indicates that a child is not meeting developmental expectations in some areas of intellectual development. This diagnosis is only given to children under the age of 5 and can be seen as a temporary category.A developmental delay refers to a delay of 35% or more in one of five developmental areas (i.e. cognitive; motor; speech and language; social/emotional; adaptive...