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a) American Association for Mental Retardation (AAMR) classification (2002)
“Mental retardation is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in
intellectual functioning and in adaptive behaviour as expressed in conceptual, social,
and practical adaptive skills. This disability originates before age 18.”
b) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) definition
“Significantly sub average general intellectual functioning that is accompanied by
significant limitations in adaptive functioning in at least two of the following skill areas:
communication, self-care, home living, social/interpersonal skills, work, leisure, health,
and safety. The onset must occur before age 18 years.” According to the association,
there are five degrees of mental retardation: mild, moderate, severe, profound, and
severity unspecified.
c) International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Health Problems (ICD­
10)
"Mental retardation is a condition of arrested or incomplete development of the mind,
which is especially characterized by impairment of skills manifested during the
developmental period, skills which contribute to the overall level of intelligence, i.e.
cognitive, language, motor, and social abilities. Degrees of mental retardation are
conventionally estimated by standardized intelligence tests. These measures provide an
approximate indication of the degree of mental retardation [mild mental retardation,
moderate mental retardation, severe mental retardation, profound mental retardation,
other mental retardation, and unspecified mental retardation].” (WHO, 1993).
d) The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)
The ICF proposed that the conception of intellectual disability no longer be regarded as
a disease or even the simple physical or psychological consequence of disease, but
rather as a problem of functioning of the whole person. In this model, functioning is
considered as interaction of the person with his environment and is the result of
interactions between a person who is experiencing health problems and environmental
factors. The picture produced by this combination of factors and dimensions is of "the
person in his or her world" (WHO, 2001).
Question 3.1
National policy/programme:
• National policy: An organized set of values, principles, objectives and areas of
action to improve the situation of people with intellectual disability in the country,
the priorities among those goals and the main directions for attaining them.
• National programme: A national plan of action that includes the lines of action
required to give effect to a policy. It describes and organizes actions aimed at the
achievement of the objectives.
Question 3.2
National level: Refers to national or federal authorities.
Regional level: Refers to state, departmental authorities or province.
Local level: Refers to municipal authorities.
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