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Abilities Based on Level of IDD

Originally developed by Jill Hinton, PhD (2016); Modified by Joan B. Beasley (2/2020; 7/2025)

Abilities based on level of IDD
Level	Conceptual Domain (learning, abstract thinking, planning, flexibility, memory, strategizing, academic skills)	Social Domain (language, communication, social skills)	Practical Domain (personal care, employment, health care and legal, recreation, transportation, shopping, money)
Mild	Difficulties learning academic skills Impaired executive functioning, abstract thinking, short term memory Concrete approach to problem solving	Communication, conversation, and language are concrete May have difficulty regulating emotions and behavior May have impaired social judgment and limited understanding of social risks May have marked differences in expressive and receptive language	May function independently in personal care May need support in complex daily living tasks May live semi-independently or independently Competitive or supported employment May need support for health care decisions and childcare
Moderate	Throughout development, conceptual skills behind those of peers Academic skills develop slowly and are limited compared to peers Adult academic skills at elementary level. Support needed for conceptual tasks of day-to-day life	Marked difference in social and communicative behavior across development Spoken language used, but much less complex than peers Capacity for successful friendships and romantic relations in adulthood. Social judgment, communication, and decision making may require support in work and social settings May have marked differences in expressive and receptive language	Can learn to care for personal needs but may need extended period of teaching May need reminders, schedules life-long Employment with considerable support to manage social expectations and job complexities Require support for scheduling, transportation, health issues, and money management Typically, adaptive strategies are needed to learn new skills over an extended time
Severe	Attainment of conceptual skills is limited Little understanding of written language or math/money concepts Need extensive support for problem solving throughout life	Spoken language is limited Speech may be single words and phrases Language is focused on here and now Relationships with family and familiar others are a source of comfort and help	Require support for all activities of daily living Needs significant support in making decisions about well-being of self or others Long-term teaching and support required for participation in home, recreation, and work
Profound	Conceptual skills generally involve physical world rather than symbolic processes May use objects in goal-directed ways Visual spatial skills such as sorting, and matching may be acquired Co-occurring motor and sensory impairments may also affect ability to use objects in a functional way	Limited understanding of symbolic communication May understand simple instructions and gestures Expresses desires through nonverbal, nonsymbolic communication Enjoys relationships with well-known family members and familiar others	Dependent on others for all aspects of daily physical care, health, and safety May assist with simple work tasks at home Simple actions with objects may be basis of involvement in vocational activities Recreational and leisure often involve sensory activities – music, walks outside, water activities – with support from others Co-occurring motor and sensory impairments may be barriers to participation

Reference

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

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