Mild intellectual disability among individuals having conduct disorder: a common overlooked issue in forensic psychiatric practice

Abstract

Intellectual disability defined as significant limitations in intellectual skills (learning, reasoning and problem solving) and limitations in adaptive behaviors (social, conceptual and practical skills) before the age of 18 years. Intellectual developmental disorder is classified into mild, moderate, severe and profound subtypes depending upon deficits in conceptual, social and practical domains. conduct disorder is one of the most common mental illnesses among boys especially in prisons. It is characterized by persistent antisocial and aggressive behaviors toward other children, adults and even animals, ranging from bullying, lying, theft and running away from home to more serious violations such as forced sexual acts, fire setting, destruction of property and even murder. Boys who receive diagnosis of conduct disorder are frequently involved in alcohol and substance abuse / dependence along with mild intellectual disability. Mild intellectual disability is commonly associated with conduct disorder among children and juveniles in forensic settings, which may masks symptoms of other disorders, makes treatment more difficult and carries worse prognosis overall. Prevalence of mild intellectual developmental disorders among conduct disordered children varies from one setting to another and from an age to other , thus special attention should be paid to IQ level evaluation to avoid tragic psychiatric, legal and social outcomes.