# What is the SNOMED CT concept for Intellectual Disability?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-intellectual-disability
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

In SNOMED CT, intellectual disability is principally Intellectual disability (disorder), SCTID 110359009, with severity-graded child concepts; it maps to WHO ICD-11 6A00, Disorders of intellectual development. SNOMED concepts shift across editions, so verify the current SCTID and any India extension before binding it in records.

*A clean code crosswalk is what lets a developmental concern travel safely from clinic note to claim to registry — so the SNOMED CT mapping matters.*

## In short
In **SNOMED CT**, intellectual disability is represented principally by the concept **Intellectual disability (disorder), SCTID 110359009**, with the synonym "mental retardation" retained for legacy interoperability. Severity-graded child concepts exist (mild, moderate, severe, profound). This maps to **WHO ICD-11 6A00 — Disorders of intellectual development**, and to the older ICD-10 F70–F79 range. SNOMED CT terms shift across editions, so always verify the current SCTID and any India-specific extension before binding it in your record system.

## The terminology, concisely
ICD-11 deliberately reframed the category as **Disorders of intellectual development (6A00)** to anchor on neurodevelopmental aetiology and to require *both* significant limitations in intellectual functioning *and* adaptive behaviour, with onset in the developmental period — graded by standardised assessment of conceptual, social and practical domains. SNOMED CT serves as the clinical-data layer: it supplies the granular, machine-readable concept used at the point of care, while ICD-11 codes the same construct for morbidity statistics and reporting. When you document, record the functional profile alongside the code — the label alone carries little clinical guidance for intervention.

## When to refer
For a child presenting with global developmental delay, route to structured developmental assessment rather than assigning a fixed intellectual-disability label prematurely — in many jurisdictions the diagnosis is confirmed only once standardised cognitive and adaptive measures are valid for age (typically beyond infancy). Pair coding with an aetiological work-up where indicated.

## The Pinnacle way
A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from a code, a form or an app. Our records are built for clean ICD-11/SNOMED interoperability so referrals move without friction. Explore our [developmental assessment pathway](/developmental-assessment) or [partner with us](/) for co-managed care.

## Trusted sources
WHO ICD-11 (6A00, Disorders of intellectual development); CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." developmental milestones; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org); Indian Academy of Pediatrics. SNOMED CT identifiers should be confirmed against your current edition release.

**Next step —** Need a coding-clean referral or a structured developmental profile for a child? [Partner with a Pinnacle centre](/).

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- WHO ICD-11 — Disorders of intellectual development: https://icd.who.int/browse11
- CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early.: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org: https://www.healthychildren.org

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Conditions: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/conditions
- Doctor: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/doctor
- Cognitive: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/cognitive
- Definition: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/definition
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Special Education: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/special-education
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity

## Related question paths

### Understand the subject
- What is the SNOMED CT concept for Specific Learning Disability?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-specific-learning-disability
- ICD-11 Classification for Intellectual Disability (6A00): https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-intellectual-disability
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### Recognise signs & concerns
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- Can Intellectual Disability Be Cured?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-intellectual-disability-be-cured
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- Do girls show Intellectual Disability differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-girls-show-intellectual-disability-differently
- How a frontline health worker can spot possible Intellectual Disability early: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-frontline-health-worker-spot-a-child-with-possible-intellectual-disability-early
- What are the early signs of Intellectual Disability?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-intellectual-disability
- Early Signs of Intellectual Disability in a 1-Year-Old Boy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-intellectual-disability-in-a-1-year-old-boy
- What are the early signs of Intellectual Disability in a 1-year-old girl?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-intellectual-disability-in-a-1-year-old-girl
- Early Signs of Intellectual Disability in a 12-to-18-Month-Old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-intellectual-disability-in-a-12-to-18-month-old

### Explore causes & influences
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- Intellectual Disability in India: prevalence and public-health burden: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-prevalence-and-public-health-burden-of-intellectual-disability-among-young-children-in-india

### Understand assessment
- Screening and Diagnostic Pathway for Intellectual Disability in Children Under 7: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-recommended-screening-and-diagnostic-pathway-for-intellectual-disability-in-children-under-7
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### Explore therapy & support
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- Early intervention for Intellectual Disability in under-7s: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-district-early-intervention-programme-identify-and-support-children-under-7-with-intellectual-disability
- How a teacher can include a child with intellectual disability in a mainstream classroom: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-include-and-support-a-young-child-with-intellectual-disability-in-a-mainstream-classroom
- Supporting Cognitive Development in Intellectual Disability: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-we-support-cognitive-development-in-a-child-with-intellectual-disability
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- My child with Intellectual Disability has an AbilityScore — what next?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-intellectual-disability-has-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-what-should-we-do-next