Mental Retardation

Developmental Disability

The term mental retardation describes a certain range of scores on an IQ (intelligence quotient) test.The degree of impairment from mental retardation varies widely, from profoundly impaired to mild or borderline retardation Mental retardation can result from a number of different conditions genetic,environmental,infections present during birth,chromosomal abnormalities etc.

Symptoms

Continued infant-like behavior

Decreased learning ability

Failure to meet the markers of intellectual development

Inability to meet educational demands at school

Lack of curiosity

Delays in oral language development

Deficits in memory skills

Difficulty learning social rules

Difficulty with problem solving skills

Delays in the development of adaptive behaviors such as self-help or self-care skills

Lack of social inhibitors

Treatment The primary goal of treatment is to develop the person's potential to the fullest. Special education and training may begin as early as infancy. This includes social skills to help the person function as normally as possible. It is important for a specialist to evaluate the person for other affective disorders and treat those disorders. Behavioral approaches are important for people with mental retardation.