Mental Retardation
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.
