What condition is often associated with adaptive skill delays?

The association between adaptive skill delays and intellectual disability is well-documented. Individuals with intellectual disabilities typically demonstrate limitations in cognitive functioning, which can significantly affect their ability to develop adaptive skills. Adaptive skills encompass essential daily living skills such as communication, self-care, social skills, and safety.

These skills are crucial for functioning independently in society. Because intellectual disabilities can impact the cognitive processes that contribute to learning these skills, individuals may face challenges in acquiring and applying them in everyday situations. This is why adaptive skill delays are commonly observed in individuals identified with intellectual disabilities.

While other conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder, can also involve adaptive skill challenges, the term "intellectual disability" more specifically denotes the cognitive limitations that directly lead to those delays in a structured way. It is the underlying intellectual functioning that is primarily responsible for the adaptive skill deficits seen in these individuals.