Meningitis and encephalitis can cause intellectual disabilities. Meningitis is an infection in the brain caused by viral infections, followed by bacterial infections and, rarely, by fungal infections. Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, most commonly caused by viral infection, and as consequence can result in intellectual disability, usually affecting intelligence more severely. [4] Often, a specific cause for developmental delay is unknown; and some causes could have been reversed if found early enough.
Identification
Identifying a person with intellectual disabilities requires two areas of assessment; intelligence and adaptive behavior.