Borderline intellectual functioning and neurodevelopmental disorders: prevalence, comorbidities and treatment approaches
| Pages | 275-283 |
| Published date | 07 September 2015 |
| Date | 07 September 2015 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-06-2015-0028 |
| Author | Angela Hassiotis |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities |
Borderline intellectual functioning
and neurodevelopmental disorders:
prevalence, comorbidities and
treatment approaches
Angela Hassiotis
Dr Angela Hassiotis is based
at UCL Division of Psychiatry,
London, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to provide a synthesis of the literature on the topic of developmental
framework and health comorbidities of children and adults with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) and
neurodevelopmental disorders.
Design/methodology/approach –A rapid review of the literature and hand searching of relevant papers
from 1999 to 2015 was carried out. Totally, 21 papers were identified covering a range of perspectives from
neurodevelopmental trajectories to prevalence, treatment and service use.
Findings –All papers were utilised and complemented a previous review which, however, had not covered
the aspect of treatment approaches for this population. As a group they appear to have distinctly different
profiles from people with mild intellectual disability and of peers with average intelligence.
Practical implications –The evidence summary indicates an ongoing interest by the international scientific
community in the topic of BIF. This group are often lost in the health system and may not receive
appropriate care given their unique clinical profile. More should be done to increase clinicians’awareness of
their health needs.
Originality/value –The paper adds substantially to a previous review of the topic. An international
collaboration may help to increase the profile of this work and lead to further changes in the care these
individuals receive across the diagnostic and treatment spectrum.
Keywords Education, Psychiatric disorders, Intellectual disability, Mental health,
Neurodevelopmental disorders, Borderline intellectual functioning
Paper type Literature review
Background
Borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) is defined as intelligence quotient (IQ) between one and
two standard deviations from the population IQ mean. That is, an IQ of 70-85. BIF used to be
included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fourth edition but omitted from DSM-IV-TR
and DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Neither is included in The International
Classification of Diseases, tenth edition (ICD 10). The International Classification of Functioning
does not code BIF as it does not recognise it as a disability. Changes in educational and clinical
perspectives over time have influenced the care of those individuals. For example, in the USA,
they lost any special status in the 1980s but they are a recognised group in other countries and
thus entitled to services, e.g. the Netherlands (Wieland et al., 2014). Based on the Gaussian
distribution of intelligence in the population, approximately 13 per cent of people are estimated to
Received 1 June 2015
Revised 1 June 2015
Accepted 2 June 2015
DOI 10.1108/AMHID-06-2015-0028 VOL. 9 NO. 5 2015, pp. 275-283, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282
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ADVANCESIN MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUALD ISABILITIES
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