Profound Intellectual Disability (F73)
DSM-5-TR: Intellectual Developmental Disorder (Profound)
ICD-10-AM and DSM-5-TR may classify conditions differently. Refer to APA and WHO for complete diagnostic criteria.
Key Facts
ICD-10 Range
F70-F79
Australian Prevalence
Profound intellectual disability accounts for approximately 1-2% of all intellectual disability cases.
Global Prevalence
Prevalence approximately 0.05% of the population.
Duration Requirement
Present from developmental period
Overview
Profound intellectual disability involves an IQ under approximately 20, corresponding to a mental age below 3 years. Individuals have severely limited ability to understand or comply with requests or instructions. Most are immobile or severely restricted in mobility, and require constant supervision and nursing care. Severe neurological and physical conditions are commonly present.
Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10)
Core Features
- IQ under approximately 20
- Severely limited comprehension or compliance with requests
- Severely limited or no self-care, continence, communication, or mobility
- Constant supervision and care required
Duration
Present from developmental period
Exclusion Criteria
- Acquired cognitive decline (use dementia codes)
Classification Boundaries
Includes
- Profound mental subnormality
Australian Clinical Context
Individuals with profound intellectual disability in Australia require 24-hour support. NDIS provides high-level funding packages. Specialist disability health services manage complex co-occurring medical conditions. Palliative and end-of-life care considerations may be relevant.
Medicare (MBS) Pathways
Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders
A Medicare pathway for assessment and treatment of complex neurodevelopmental disorders and eligible disabilities in individuals under 25. Covers multi-disciplinary assessment and ongoing treatment.
| Provider Type | MBS Items | Session Type |
|---|---|---|
| Psychologist | 82000–82035 | Assessment and treatment |
| Speech Pathologist | 82000–82035 | Assessment and treatment |
| Occupational Therapist | 82000–82035 | Assessment and treatment |
| Audiologist | 82000–82035 | Assessment |
| Physiotherapist | 82000–82035 | Assessment and treatment |
Psychologist
Speech Pathologist
Occupational Therapist
Audiologist
Physiotherapist
GP referral items: Item 135 (paediatrician/psychiatrist referral)
Eligibility: Under 25 years with impairment across 2 or more neurodevelopmental domains requiring complex multi-domain support. Referral by paediatrician or psychiatrist.
Exclusions:
- ADHD alone (use standard Better Access pathway)
- Over 25 years of age
Excluded from Better Access. Under-25s may access the CND pathway. Over-25s: NDIS-funded services or specialist referral.
Automate MBS item capture from your sessions
Grounded Scribe suggests the right MBS item codes from your recording so you can claim accurately without re-keying.
Reference information sourced from MBS Online (mbsonline.gov.au). Item availability, rebates, and eligibility criteria may change. This is not billing advice — always verify current items before claiming. Last verified: April 2026.
Clinical Documentation Notes
Very high rates of co-occurring physical conditions. Communication primarily through non-verbal means. Document level of awareness, sensory responses, and care needs comprehensively.
Related Diagnostic Codes
ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Profound Intellectual Disability (F73).
References
- World Health Organization. ICD-10-AM.
- American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5-TR. 2022.
Clinical Scoring Calculator — Not a Diagnostic Tool
This tool calculates scores based on published guidelines for professional reference. It does not provide clinical diagnoses. Scores are provided as reference information only and should be interpreted by a qualified practitioner in the context of a comprehensive assessment.
Document sessions for patients with intellectual developmental disorder (profound)
Grounded Scribe automatically generates clinical notes from your sessions, saving hours of documentation time.
Start free trial