Changes in Intellectual disability in DSM- 5

Abstract

The American Psychiatric Associations’ fifth revision of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, known as DSM-5 observed various changes from DSM-IV-TR, among them the changes in diagnostic category of mental retardation as specified in DSM-IV-TR will have greatest impact on practicing Clinical Psychologists. The changes range from changing the terminology of mental retardation to intellectual disability, further there is also a shift away from primary reliance on IQ scores to adaptive behavior in the diagnosis of Intellectual disability. This review paper discusses the major changes in the diagnostic category of Mental Retardation, need for such changes and implications of these changes.