Outlook

The prognosis or outlook for a child with cognitive disabilities is highly individual and is influenced by a variety of psychological, medical, environmental, and cultural factors.

Intellectual disbility is not necessarily a life-long disorder. Some children with cognitive disabilities revealed by academic difficulties may, with appropriate services and interventions, develop adequate adaptive skills in other areas of functioning and no longer demonstrate the level of impairment required for a diagnosis of intellectual disability when they are an adult.

The public continues to gain a greater awareness about cognitive disabilities and those affected by them. In 2005, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was reauthorized by Congress.

Parents of children with cognitive deficits are often strong advocates for their children.