| About Mental Retardation |
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WHAT IS MENTAL RETARDATION?
Mental Retardation (MR) has been defined as below average general intellectual functioning with
associated deficits in adaptive behaviour that occurs before the age of 18 years
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?
- Genetic Conditions - Some genetic or chromosomal abnormalities
- Problems during birth - there may be damage to child brain during child birth which
may cause impairment of intellectual functioning. Premature babies and those born with a low
birth weight are more susceptible than full term infants. The brain may be affected if the child
has been deprived of oxygen during birth
- Childhood disease - Many diseases that the child may contract during childhood may affect
brain functioning. Diseases like meningitis, high fever, epilepsy, encephalitis etc may cause
retardation
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The child may show behaviour not appropriate for his/her age and may not be curious about things
around him/her. Children with severe mental retardation may have trouble taking care of their
daily needs and may require others help. Almost all children with mental retardation show delayed
development milestones in that they sit and stand latter than normal children and may also acquire
speech later.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
Mental Retardation is suspected in children who show delayed developmental milestones. The paediatrician
may conduct few tests to rule out any organic cause for the development delay. The child may then be
referred to a child psychologiest who will administer specialised tests to diagnose the retardation.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?
There is no medical treatment for Mental Retardation, since it is not a disease condition. Treatment
strategy involves rehabilitation of the child and making him acquire adaptive skills for every day
life. Special schools provide individualised education to these children, so that they are able to
acquire knowledge at their own pace. Apart from an academic knowledge, specail education also provides
these children with requisite skills so that they are able to adjust in society.
Specific treatment measures like behaviour therapy are used to reduce socially unacceptable
behaviour of these children.
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