Is Developmental Delay Really Intellectual Disability?

Question

Is developmental delay the same as intellectual disability?

Answer

Developmental delay does not necessarily mean intellectual disability. Intelligence includes language skills, and when language skills also lag, if diagnosed with a specific developmental disorder, it indicates that this delay may be part of mental development delay or a broader developmental disorder. If the impairment in language skills is significantly more severe than non-language skills, then in addition to the diagnosis of mental development delay or a broader developmental disorder, a diagnosis of language development disorder should also be considered.