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. 2019 Mar 22;116(12):197–204. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0197

eTable 1. Classification of mental retardation (MR) according to Zhang et al. (e5).

Level Degree of
disability(IQ)
Adults Children
0 None No impairment Development appropriate for age
1 Borderline (<70) Attendance of regular schools for several years; needs little support Milestones reached at normal ages; slight developmental delay apparent in first years at school
2 Very mild (<65) Attendance of regular schools for a few years; needs a lot of support; simple skills in reading, writing, and numeracy Milestones reached at normal ages for the first few years; slight developmental delay apparent from age of 2 to 3 years
3 Mild (<50) Good language comprehension, even long sentences are understood; limited skills in reading, writing, and numeracy Achievement of milestones delayed by a few months; apparent from the age of 1 to 2 years
4 Moderate (<35) Good language comprehension; speaks short sentences, makes a lot of gestures Achievement of milestones delayed by several months; apparent from the 2nd year of life
5 Severe (<20) Understands simple common sentences; speaks two-to three word sentences, makes a lot of gestures; can walk Achievement of milestones delayed by several months to a year; apparent from the 1st year of life
6 Very severe (<10) Understands single words; speaks single words or not at all; can walk unsteadily/with assistance Developmental delay by several years; becomes apparent in first 6 months of life
7 Profound No or only slight reaction; can sit and stand with assistance, walks rarely or not at all No unassisted sitting at age of 5 years

IQ, Intelligence quotient