Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Mental Retardation
Mental retardation (MR) means a person has significantly
below average intelligence. A person who is retarded cannot
easily change his behavior in response to certain situations
or demands.
There are four levels of MR: mild, moderate, severe, and
profound. These levels are measured using a standard
psychological test.
What is the cause?
Many medical conditions have been associated with MR
including:
- abnormal brain development before birth
- infections a pregnant mother has such as German measles
- severe oxygen deficiency at birth
- metabolic diseases
- chromosome abnormalities (Down syndrome and fragile X
syndrome)
- meningitis.
For most children, however, the exact cause of MR is never
found.
If you suspect your child has MR, your doctor will want
to search for the cause. He or she may discover a disorder
that requires special medical care or a problem that may be
genetic and should be considered in future pregnancies.
What kind of testing will my child have?
It is difficult to figure out the degree of mental
retardation or predict how a child will develop over time.
Developmental tests are used to measure how well your child
is doing compared to other children of the same age. If
your child's functional (intellectual) age is a lot lower
than the your child's age in months or years, then your
child is probably mentally retarded.
In the preschool and school-age years, your child can have
an IQ, or intelligence quotient, test done. The IQ test can
show the degree of mental retardation. The IQ test helps
predict how well your child will do academically and
socially. Your physician or other specialists will figure
out which tests are best for your child.
How will my child develop?
Most children with MR will learn new things but at a slower
pace than normal. You should give a child with MR
opportunities to learn.
Your child's ability to function mentally, physically, and
emotionally depends on the severity of the retardation. The
following levels of retardation, based on IQ, are estimates
of how well a person with MR will be able to function as a
child and as an adult.
Mild Retardation (approximate IQ range 55 to 69):
Preschool-age children with mild MR are often not noticed as
retarded by most people, but they are slower than most
children to walk, feed themselves, and talk. Mildly
retarded children, when given special education, can learn
practical skills and useful reading and math to a 3rd- to
6th-grade level. As adults, they can usually achieve social
and job skills and live by themselves. However, they may
need some guidance and support during times of unusual
social or economic stress.
Moderate Retardation (approximate IQ range 40 to 54):
Moderately retarded preschool-age children show noticeable
delays in development of motor skills and speech. Older
children can learn simple communication, elementary health
and safety habits, and simple skills. They are not able to
gain reading or math skills. As adults, they can do simple
tasks under special conditions and can travel alone in
familiar places. They usually cannot live totally
independently.
Severe Retardation (approximate IQ range 25 to 39):
Severely retarded preschool-age children have delays in
motor development and little or no communication skills.
With training, the children may be able to learn some basic
self-help skills, such as feeding themselves and bathing.
As they grow older they can usually walk and have some
understanding of speech and some response to it. As adults,
they can get used to routines, but will need continuing
direction and supervision in a protective environment.
Profound Retardation (approximate IQ less than 24):
Profoundly retarded children may have other medical
problems, such as cerebral palsy, and may need nursing care.
They have delays in all areas of development. They show
basic emotions and with training, may be able to use their
legs, hands, and jaws. These children need close
supervision. As adults they usually have simple speech and
may walk. They usually benefit from regular physical
activity. Because they are unable to take care of
themselves, someone will need to give them complete support
for daily living.
How is MR treated?
Tests such as newborn screening for phenylketonuria (PKU)
and hypothyroidism can prevent some MR, but there is no cure
for MR. Treatment focuses on educational, behavioral, and
self-help skills. It is helpful when MR is diagnosed early
in a child's life, so that therapy can begin as soon as
possible. However, it is never too late to begin.
Many states offer Early Intervention Programs (EIP) for
children aged 0 to 3 years with MR. Some states also offer
special classes to children between the ages of 3 and
5 years who have special needs. By law, all states are
required to provide special education classes for school-age
children with MR until they are 21 years old. Every school
board must tell parents their rights and follow the laws.
The school must develop an Individual Educational Plan (IEP)
for each child requiring special education. This plan
includes:
- educational objectives
- class placement
- a plan for checking progress
- any other special services, such as therapy or
transportation.
The plan must be agreed upon by both the parent and the
school.
Parents of children with MR often hear of new and different
treatments through the media or friends. Your physician can
help you decide if these treatments could help or harm your
child.
Where can my family get help and support?
When parents hear for the first time that their child is
mentally retarded, they can feel grief, anger, guilt, and
many other difficult emotions. Many families find that
professional counseling helps them to cope with the news. A
child's disability affects the entire family, including
brothers and sisters. Many times parents also need guidance
on how to tell relatives their child has MR. Your physician
and local organizations can direct you to therapists and
parent support groups that can help you and your family deal
with these important issues.
For More Information
National U.S. Organizations
Call or write to:
American Association on Mental Retardation
1719 Kalorama Rd., NW
Washington, DC 20009
800-424-3688
National Association for Retarded Citizens
500 E. Border Street, Suite 300
Arlington, TX 76010
817-261-6003
National Down Syndrome Congress
1800 Dempster Street
Park Ridge, IL 60068-1146
800-232-NDSC
National Fragile X Foundation of the USA
1441 York Street, Suite 215
Denver, CO 80206
800-688-8765
Suggested Reading
See:
Mental Retardation: Book List
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