Cognitive Impairment FACTCOGNITIVE SHEET IMPAIRMENT A Service of IDRS FACT SHEETS

BorderlineCOGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT Intellectual Functioning FACT SHEETS What is Borderline Intellectual Functioning is characterised by below BorderlineBorderlineaverage Intellectual IQ but above that Functioningfor a diagnosis of Intellectual Intellectual Disability. This is a very vulnerable group of people who often FunctioningWhat isgo unrecognisedBorderline Intellectual as having Functioning support is characterised needs. by below Borderline average IQ but above that for a diagnosis of Intellectual Intellectual Disability. This is a very vulnerable group of people who often Functioning go unrecognised as having support needs.

An often unrecognised disability BorderlineAnintellectual often unrecognised functioning is a cognitivedisability impairment that has significant effects on the daily lives of peopleBorderline whointellectual experience functioning it however is a cognitive it is very impairment often unrecognised that has significant withing effects generalon the daily society and lives of people who experience it however it is very often unrecognised withing general society and certainly withincertainly the within Criminal the Criminal Justice Justice System. System. This This can occur occur for for a number a number of reasons; of reasons; lack of lack of understandingunderstanding and recognition and recognition of indicators of indicators on on aa societal level, level, the the person person themselves themselves may not mayknow not know what it is whatthat it causes is that causes them them challenges challenges and and if if they they do know know then then it can it canoften often be purposely be purposely masked due masked due to embarrassmentto embarrassment or a desire or a desire not notto beto be labelled. labelled.

Intellectual Borderline Intellectual General Population IntellectualDisability BorderlineFunctioning Intellectual General Population DisabilityFor a person to Functioning 100 be considered Average For a personto to have an 100 be consideredIntellectual An IQ above 85 is IQ Average to have anDisability they associated with Intellectualmust have an cognitive function IQ below 70 An IQ above 85 is IQ Disability they that does not and to have negativelyassociated effect with must havechallenges an in cognitiveeveryday function at least 2 areas IQ below 70 performancethat does not and to haveof adaptive functioning negatively effect challenges in everyday at least 2 areas performance of adaptive functioning INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT (IQ) SCALE

P 1300 665 908 INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT (IQ) SCALE IDRS acknowledges www.justiceadvocacyservice.org.au JAS funding from the Regional Disability Advocacy Service will deliver New South Wales JAS in Albury, Wagga Wagga and Griffith Government COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT FACT SHEETS- #2

A Service of IDRS

A Service of IDRS SUBSTANCE ABUSE & borderline intellectual functioning are often linked

anxiety & depression coupled with challenge linking action & consequence can increase vulnerability to drugs of ADDICTION

People living with Borderline Intellectual Functioning benefit significantly from support during IDRS acknowledges www.justiceadvocacyservice.org.au complex interactionsJAS funding from the including Regional Disability Advocacy Service will deliver New South Wales JAS in Albury, Wagga Wagga and Griffith police, courtGovernmentand legal contexts

Borderline Intellectual Functioning and the Criminal Justice System People who live with Borderline Intellectual Functioning are vulnerable as both victims and offenders. Whilst not necessarily having the same deficits in daily life skills (adaptive functioning) as people with Intellectual Disability, this group can be susceptible to offending without realising or understanding the consequences of certain behaviours or decisions. Likewise this group are often taken advantage of directly (fraud, violence) or utilised as accomplices. People who have Borderline Intellectual Functioning may not realise they need support or may not want support through a desire not to be labelled. They may also have learned ways to mask their disability in order to avoid labelling or embarrassment.

IDRS acknowledges www.justiceadvocacyservice.org.au JAS funding from the Regional Disability Advocacy Service will deliver New South Wales JAS in Albury, Wagga Wagga and Griffith Government