Mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning – cognitive assessment and evaluation of functional abilities in differential diagnostics.

Literature review

Abstract

The diagnosis of mild intellectual disability has not been defined precisely and comprehensively for clinical practice. The purpose of this literature review is to point out factors that should be considered in diagnostic decisions. The research questions are: What is the significance of cognitive assessment performed by a psychologist when diagnosing mild intellectual disability? What is the relation between cognitive test performance and functional abilities?

Scientific articles considering the definitions of mild intellectual disability and borderline intellectual functioning are examined in the review. The relation between cognitive assessment performance and the related diagnostics is also clarified. A particular question that rises is the significance of Full Scale Intellectual Quotient (FSIQ). FSIQ is still a part of the diagnostic criteria (ICD10), but its significance in clinical work is decreasing. The scientific articles examined in the literature review are critical about FSIQ's weight as a diagnostic criterion. Versatile examination of cognitive abilities and consideration of performance profiles are emphasized instead. Executive functioning in particular has a great significance when considering individual support needs. FSIQ is related to functional abilities on a group level but it does not have a causal relation to individual functional skills. The review also examines practical standpoints that give valuable insight to how cognitive profiles and abilities should be examined in diagnostic work.