Mental retardation

Mental retardation (also called mental handicap and, as defined by the UK Mental Health Act (1983), mental impairment and severe mental impairment) is a term for a pattern of persistently slow learning of basic motor and language skills ("milestones") during childhood, and a significantly below-normal global intellectual capacity as an adult. One common criterion for diagnosis of what used to be called mental retardation is a tested intelligence quotient (IQ) below 70.

Related Topics:
UK - Mental Health Act - 1983 - Learning - Language - Childhood - Intellectual capacity - Adult - Intelligence quotient

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The term mental retardation has gradually acquired pejorative and shameful connotations over the last few decades. In North America, the term developmental delay has become an increasingly preferred synonym among parents and physicians, but in other contexts as well. Elsewhere however, developmental delay is generally used to imply that appropriate intervention will improve the condition, allowing for catching up, that is, the individual's current difficulties can be temporary. Developmental disability is also preferred by most, but can also refer to other physical or psychiatric disabilities. Intellectual disability is occasionally used as a synonym for the same reasons but also lacks specificity as it also applies to dementing conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. The American Association on Mental Retardation continues to use the term mental retardation http://www.aamr.org/Policies/faq_mental_retardation.shtml.

Related Topics:
Alzheimer's disease - American Association on Mental Retardation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although it can be defined objectively, developmental disability does not represent a single condition. Some of the difficulties of characterizing it more precisely are illustrated by comparing it to the condition of short stature, with which it shares all of the following characteristics:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Diagnostic criteria are defined statistically and arbitrarily.
• There are many subgroups with distinguishable developmental patterns.
• It is not a single, homogeneous disease; there are many known causes, both inherent and environmental, and congenital and acquired.
• Different diagnostic criteria are used for different purposes.
• More than one factor may contribute to disability for any one person.
• New conditions and causes are discovered or better understood each year.
• Treatments can be very effective, marginally beneficial, or ineffective, varying by cause and age of intervention.
• For a significant proportion of affected people, a cause cannot be determined.

The limitations of cognitive function will cause a child to learn and develop more slowly than a typical child. Children may take longer to learn to speak, walk, and take care of their personal needs such as dressing or eating. They will have trouble learning in school. Learning will take them longer, require more repetition, and there may be some things they cannot learn. The extent of the limits of learning is a function of the severity of the disability.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There are three criteria before a person is considered to have a developmental disability: an IQ below 70, significant limitations in two or more areas of adaptive behavior (i.e., ability to function at age level in an ordinary environment), and evidence that the limitations became apparent in childhood. Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and fragile X are the three most common inborn causes.

Related Topics:
IQ - Adaptive behavior - Childhood - Down syndrome - Fetal alcohol syndrome - Fragile X

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

By most definitions, it is more accurately considered a disability rather than a disease. It can be distinguished in many ways from mental illness, such as schizophrenia or depression. There is no "cure" for an established disability, though with appropriate support and teaching most individuals can learn to do many things.

Related Topics:
Mental illness - Schizophrenia - Depression

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
Mental retardation: Signs ►