Question

Read the case study and answer the question that follows:

Mohsin, a 6-year-old boy, has difficulty in feeding and dressing himself, but training from his parents has helped him to be a little independent. He faces trouble making friends outside his family and has difficulty in dealing with people in social situations. His parents are always worried about him and are aware that he needs consistent level of supervision in daily tasks. Mohsin’s brother understands his needs and what he says but it is difficult for his peers to understand him as he lags behind them in communication and language skills. Throughout Mohsin's journey, psychologists and health workers focused on engaging his family in meaningful future planning using a variety of strategies and resources. This included offering them ongoing and timely information and assisting the family to understand and connect to resources.

(a) Identify the disorder Mohsin is exhibiting. Distinguish it from autism spectrum disorder.
OR

(b) How are the symptoms that Mohsin is exhibiting different from a more severe form of that disorder?

Answer 1

(a) Intellectual disability is distinct from autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is also a neurodevelopmental disorder but is primarily characterised by deficits in social communication and social interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities. ASD sufferers may struggle with adaptive conduct as well, but their intellectual performance may not necessarily be significantly hindered.

OR

(b) Mohsin is displaying signs of mental impairment and intellectual incapacity. A neurodevelopmental disease known as intellectual disability is typified by severe impairments in cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviour, which includes conceptual, social, and practical skills. Individuals with intellectual disabilities may struggle with tasks including communication, self-care, and social contact, as seen by Mohsin's trouble eating and dressing himself, as well as his difficulty engaging with people in social circumstances.