What term describes a condition of limited mental ability indicated by an IQ score of 70 or below and difficulty adapting to daily life?

• A. Autism spectrum disorder
• B. Savant syndrome
• C. Intellectual disability
• D. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Answer: (C)

Intellectual disability describes a condition where limited mental ability is paired with noticeable difficulties in adapting to daily life. This means there are challenges in both cognitive functioning—such as reasoning and problem solving—and in adaptive skills across conceptual, social, and practical domains needed for everyday independence. The description typically includes onset before adulthood, reflecting that it begins during development. The IQ criterion of 70 or below is a traditional marker used in many classifications, but the key part is the combination of lower cognitive functioning and noticeable limitations in daily adaptive behavior.

Autism spectrum disorder centers on social communication differences and restricted, repetitive behaviors rather than a general below-average IQ with adaptive impairment. Savant syndrome refers to rare cases where someone has extraordinary skills in a specific area despite other limitations. ADHD involves persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity and does not by itself define adaptive limitations of the degree described here.