To be identified as having an intellectual disability, a child must demonstrate significantly below average intellectual functioning and __________.

Identification of an intellectual disability involves demonstrating significantly below average intellectual functioning, along with related limitations in adaptive skills. Adaptive skills refer to the daily living skills that individuals need to function independently in society, such as communication, self-care, social skills, and community participation.

For a child to be classified within this category, it is essential that there are notable deficits in these adaptive skills, particularly in two or more areas. This requirement ensures that the child not only performs below average on intellectual assessments but also faces challenges in applying their cognitive abilities in practical, everyday scenarios. This dual criterion is critical for accurately identifying and providing appropriate support to individuals who require assistance in their learning and daily life.

The other choices introduce various factors that may affect an individual's abilities but do not align with the standardized criteria used to identify intellectual disabilities. For instance, while discrepancies between ability and achievement might highlight specific learning issues, they do not specifically address the broad concept of adaptive functioning. Similarly, genetic abnormalities or specific medical conditions like seizure syndrome may be relevant to understanding a child's overall health or needs but are not prerequisites for the diagnosis of an intellectual disability. The focus remains firmly on the cognitive and practical functioning aspects as they relate to the individual's ability to thrive in everyday environments.