Borderline intellectual functioning and neurodevelopmental disorders: prevalence, comorbidities and treatment approaches

The purpose of this paper is to provide a synthesis of the literature on the topic of developmental framework and health comorbidities of children and adults with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) and neurodevelopmental disorders.

A rapid review of the literature and hand searching of relevant papers from 1999 to 2015 was carried out. Totally, 21 papers were identified covering a range of perspectives from neurodevelopmental trajectories to prevalence, treatment and service use.

All papers were utilised and complemented a previous review which, however, had not covered the aspect of treatment approaches for this population. As a group they appear to have distinctly different profiles from people with mild intellectual disability and of peers with average intelligence.

The evidence summary indicates an ongoing interest by the international scientific community in the topic of BIF. This group are often lost in the health system and may not receive appropriate care given their unique clinical profile. More should be done to increase clinicians’ awareness of their health needs.

The paper adds substantially to a previous review of the topic. An international collaboration may help to increase the profile of this work and lead to further changes in the care these individuals receive across the diagnostic and treatment spectrum.