Guardianship as a Risk Mitigation Strategy for Individuals with Borderline Intellectual Functioning

Abstract

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) are vulnerable due to impairments in cognition, executivefunction, and adaptive skills. Those with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) often go undetected dueto subtle symptoms, leaving them without proper protection. However, they remain susceptible to harmful influences due to impaired analytical and decision-making abilities. This case highlights the need for in-depthfunctional assessment and guardianship as a risk mitigation strategy for individuals with BIF. A 24-year-old woman with developmental delays and difficulties in daily activities was brought to an adult psychiatric clinic for guardianship assessment. Her parents were concerned as she had been repeatedly manipulated online, including an incident where she was nearly abducted. She could perform basic daily tasks but struggled with complex ones. Psychiatric evaluation diagnosed her with BIF (IQ=83). She lacks insight into her limitations, which makes her have poor help-seeking behavior. The psychiatric report recommended guardianship toensure her safety. A thorough assessment by a psychiatrist is needed to detect BIF among those with a history of repeated safety incidents to ensure the protection of their safety while still respecting their rights.