Final answer:
Intellectual disability can be caused by traumatic brain injury, congenital infections, and prenatal drug or alcohol use. These factors affect cognitive development and lead to varying levels of cognitive disruption and lowered intelligence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Causes of Intellectual Disability
Various factors can cause an intellectual disability, which is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. Some prominent causes include:
- Traumatic brain injury: Damage to the brain can result from physical trauma, affecting cognitive abilities and leading to a potential intellectual disability.
- Congenital infections: Infections during pregnancy, such as rubella, can interfere with fetal brain development, leading to cognitive disruptions and other health issues.
- Prenatal drug or alcohol use: Teratogens like alcohol can cross the placenta and cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which are associated with a range of developmental problems including lowered intelligence levels and cognitive deficits.
Other factors, such as genetics, environmental influences, and nutrient deficiencies, also play roles in the development of an individual's intelligence.