968 Intellectual Disability – Definition, Etiology, Classification and Diagnosis Benjamin Hozmi and Chaia Aminadav Abstract This article discusses the definition of a complex human phenomenon, intellectual developmental disability (IDD), its causes, its classification and diagnostic process and its implications. The discussion is based on the literature of the field as well as on the authors' accumulated experience. As we follow the history of research of intellectual developmental delay, we observe that this phenomenon has received an overwhelmingly large number of diverse definitions, but not even one has succeeded to include all the meaningful dimensions and the relationships between them. However, as we follow the changes in definitions over the years we learn that they reflect the existing social, scientific and legal trends that evolved since the first definition of 1534. The definition of a human social phenomenon has broad implications for the individuals, their families, the community, society and culture, as well as legal, economic, political, medical and religious aspects. The definition sets the boundaries that mark who is included, and consequently their duties and rights according to society, and who is not included. Chapter on page 43
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