Difference between cognitive and intellectual disability …

[i] Cognitive Disability
The nature of this disability is mental since cognitive domain is related to using mental abilities and achieving results from it.
It is related to impairments in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour. Intellectual functioning means person’s ability to plan, comprehend and reason while adaptive behaviour refers to applying social and practical skills in everyday life. Children suffering from dyslexia, learning difficulties, speech disorders, problem in solving math calculations, short span of attention and short of memory are said to have cognitive disability.
Causes of cognitive disability are as follows

• Cognitive impairment may be present at birth and may be genetic or chromosomal or result from complications of pregnancy.
• Chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome.
• Genetic abnormalities such as phenylketonuria, Hunter syndrome etc.
• Prenatal drug and infections and exposure to alcohol.
• Lack of oxygen during labour pain or birth.

[ii] Intellectual Disability
The nature of this disability is also mental since the intellectual domain is related to using the capacity of the mind. It is a disability characterised by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behaviour. This is characterised by low intelligence quotient score (under 70) and significant problems in the ways learners adapt to new situations. It is different from cognitive because cognitive is a broad concept while intellectual disability is specific in nature.
Causes of intellectual disability are as follows

1. Genetic Conditions These include things like Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome.
2. Problems during Pregnancy This can interfere with fetal brain development.
3. Alcohol or Drug Use may also cause intellectual disability.
4. Problems during Childbirth Like if a baby is deprived of oxygen during childbirth or born extremely premature.