INFORMATION ON MENTAL RETARDATION

Mental retardation is a disability which is characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills.

CAUSES OF MENTAL RETARDATION

The causes of mental retardation can be divided into biomedical, social, behavioral, and educational risk factors that interact during the life of an individual and/or across generations from parent to child.

Biomedical factors:-

1. Genetic disorders
2. Nutrition disorders.

Social factors:-

1. family interaction
2. Adult responsiveness.

Behavioral factors:-

1. Harmful behaviors, such as maternal substance abuse.

Educational factors:-

1. Availability of family and educational supports that promote mental development and increases in adaptive skills.

SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL RETARDATION

The various symptoms of mental retardation are:-

1. Aggression
2. Self-injury.
3. mood disorders

DIAGNOSIS OF MENTAL RETARDATION

A complete medical, family, social, and educational history of a subject is compiled from existing medical and school records and from interviews with parents.
Children are given intelligence tests to measure their learning abilities and intellectual functioning.
For infants, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development may be used to assess motor, language, and problem-solving skills.

TREATMENT OF MENTAL RETARDATION

Mental retardation can't always be prevented. However, a couple can have tests done to determine if they are at risk of having a child with certain medical conditions that may include mental retardation as part of the condition. When a woman is pregnant, it's important that she eats healthy foods and avoids alcohol and drugs. And after a baby is born, blood tests are done to check for certain problems. Some of these problems can cause mental retardation, but if they are treated right away, mental retardation can be prevented.

Also, it's important for kids to do what they can to prevent brain and head injuries. With babies, it's important that they are protected by car seats and that great care is used so that they don't fall from changing tables or other places. Older kids can protect themselves by wearing seat belts in the car and wearing helmets while riding bikes, in-line skating, or using scooters.