Code Attributes

• Billable/Specific Code

Applicable To

• Mental deficiency NOS
• Mental subnormality NOS

Approximate Synonyms

• Intellectual disability
• Intellectual functioning disability

Clinical Information

• A broad category of disorders characterized by an impairment to the intelligence an individual possesses. These impairments can result from trauma, birth or disease and are not restricted to any particular age group.
• A developmental disorder characterized by less than average intelligence and significant limitations in adaptive behavior with onset before the age of 18.
• Impaired intellectual (iq below 70) and adaptive functioning manifested during the developmental period. Use a more specific term if possible. Use for both the concept of the disorder itself and for populations of mentally retarded persons.
• Subnormal intellectual functioning which originates during the developmental period. This has multiple potential etiologies, including genetic defects and perinatal insults. Intelligence quotient (iq) scores are commonly used to determine whether an individual has an intellectual disability. Iq scores between 70 and 79 are in the borderline range. Scores below 67 are in the disabiled range. (from Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, ch55, p28)
• Subnormal intellectual functioning which originates during the developmental period; multiple potential etiologies, including genetic defects and perinatal insults; intelligence quotient (iq) scores are commonly used to determine whether an individual is mentally retarded; iq scores between 70 and 79 are in the borderline mentally retarded range and scores below 67 are in the retarded range.