A 10-year-old boy is evaluated for intellectual disability. His IQ is 68. According to DSM-5, the severity level of intellectual disability is determined primarily by which of the following?
- A Adaptive functioning in conceptual, social, and practical domains ✓
- B IQ score alone
- C Presence or absence of an identifiable genetic etiology
- D Age at which developmental milestones were delayed
Correct answer: A. Adaptive functioning in conceptual, social, and practical domains
Explanation
DSM-5 classifies severity of intellectual disability (mild, moderate, severe, profound) based on adaptive functioning across conceptual, social, and practical domains, not on IQ score alone. This shift from DSM-IV emphasizes the level of support needed in daily life. IQ ranges are approximate guides, but two individuals with the same IQ can have different severity levels depending on adaptive skills.
Reference: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.
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