[Mild intellectual disability in children - some key considerations].

Abstract

Diagnosing mild intellectual disability (ID) in children is very often challenging and may require multiple assessments over time to confirm the diagnosis with confidence. In Sweden, this diagnosis is typically made within the school health services, where close collaboration between psychologists, school doctors, and educators is essential. Children diagnosed with mild ID are entitled to attend specially adapted schools. It is important to recognise that many children with mild ID also experience other developmental, neurological, or neuropsychiatric conditions (ESSENCE). Beyond the initial evaluation in school health services, it is crucial that children be referred to specialised paediatric clinics for further investigation of potential underlying causes. In some cases, a child psychiatry consultation may also be necessary. Given the frequent presence of comorbidities, children with mild ID require ongoing clinical follow-up to support their development over time.