MENTAL RETARDATION

By:Jolene Swoverland

Definition

A condition diagnosed before the age of 18 that includes below-average general intellectual function and the lack of skills necessary for daily living

Also called intellectual and developmental disability

Causes

Many causes but doctors find a specific reason in only 25% of cases

Examples:1. Infections- meningitis, HIV, rubella2. Chromosomal Abnormalities3. Environmental4. Genetic-PKU, Tay-Sachs disease5. Metabolic-poorly regulated diabetes6. Nutritional-malnutrition

Symptoms

Continued infant like behavior Decreased learning ability Failure to meet markers of intellectual

development Inability to meet educational demands at

school Lack of curiosity Learn to crawl, sit up or walk later Learn more slowly

Mild Mental Retardation

IQ of 50-69 Capable of learning reading and math

skills to the level of a child 9-12 Can learn self-care and practical skills

Moderate Mental Retardation

IQ 35-49 Nearly always apparent within first years

of life Speech delays common Can learn simple health and safety skills

and participate in simple activities

Diagnosis

Must meet three criteria:1. An IQ below 702. Significant limitations in two or more

areas of adaptive behavior3. Evidence that the limitations become

apparent before the age of 18

How needs are met

Teachers attend workshops Day camps for disabled children Fully staffed residential homes School programs to help them get a job

in the community

Qualifications

IQ scores Adaptive functioning-skills needed to live

independently Evidence that the limitations become

apparent in childhood

References

www.health.nytimes.comhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_retardation