Mental RetardationBy- Dr. Asha DeshpandeDirector- Kamayani, Pune

Occurrence Mental retardation and physical disabilities

account for the population traditionally thought of as disabled.

Most teachers will work with these children in school.

This group makes up only a small portion of those classified as disabled, but may require a large part of the resources needed.

Definition 1. Mental retardation refers to

significantly sub average general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period up to 18 yrs of age (AAMD definition). Test scores, social skills, and age of onset determine the placement.

Intellectual functioning IQ = Mental Age/Chronological Age X100.

The more severe the retardation the lower the ratio of MA/CA i.e. a ten year old with a MA of 5, IQ = 50.

The children are classified as mild (50 -70), moderate (35 © 55), severe (20 © 35), and profound (>20). The MR child will tend function closer to their CA in physical ability then in their mental functioning.

Mild Mental Retardation

IQ scores from 50 to 75 Includes about 85 percent of

the mentally retarded population

Individuals in this group can often live on their own with community support.

They are educable

Moderate Mental Retardation

IQ scores between 35 and 50 Includes about 10 percent of the

mentally retarded population Individuals in this group can often

lead relatively normal lives provided they receive some level of supervision. Such individuals often live in group homes with other mentally retarded people

Severe Mental Retardation

IQ scores between 20 and 35 Includes about 3 percent to 4 percent

of the mentally retarded population Individuals in this category can often

master the most basic skills of living, such as cleaning and dressing themselves. They often live in group homes.

Profound Mental Retardation

IQ scores of less than 20 Includes about 1 percent to 2 percent

of the mentally retarded population Individuals at this level can often

develop basic communication and self-care skills. They often have other

mental disorders.

Incidence of MR

Causes of Mental Retardation

Infections (present at birth or occurring after birth)

Congenital CMV Congenital rubella Congenital toxoplasmosis Encephalitis HIV infection Meningitis

Causes - cntd Chromosomal abnormalities

Chromosome deletions More chromosome than usual Defects in the chromosome or

chromosomal inheritance, fragile X syndrome,

Errors of chromosome numbers Down syndrome

Some types of Mental Retardation

• Down's Syndrome

• Microcephaly

• Phenlykketonuria • Hydrocephalus Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome is an X chromosome defect that causes mental retardation

Hydrocephalus- an abnormal condition in which cerebrospinal fluid collects in the ventricles of the brain; in infants it can cause abnormally rapid growth of the head

Microcephaly- The smaller than normal head restricts the normal growth and development of the brain

Down syndrome It occurs because of the presence of

an extra chromosome Down syndrome children are characterized by a distinctive set of physical characteristics. These physical characteristics need to be factored in program planning.

Causes of MRProblems during pregnancy. Mental disability can

result when the fetus does not develop properly. For example, there may be a problem with the way the fetus' cells divide as it grows. A woman who drinks alcohol (see fetal alcohol syndrome) or gets an infection like rubella during pregnancy may also have a baby with mental disability

• Problems at birth. If a baby has problems during labor and birth, such as not getting enough oxygen, he or she may have developmental disability due to brain damage.

Causes of Mental Retardation

Exposure to certain types of disease or toxins. Diseases like whooping cough, measles, or meningitis can cause mental disability if medical care is delayed or inadequate. Exposure to poisons like lead or mercury may also affect mental ability

Needs The MR child will need modifications in

rules and simplification of directions to perform in class activities.

Their skill and fitness level tends to be below normal.

Studies show that the MR child can develop skills and fitness with instruction and practice.

Programming Children with Mental Retardation can

benefit from physical activity. Programming needs to be inclusive as

much as possible.

Some measures of preventionImproving the nutritional status of the

community as a whole, especially the girl child in order to reduce the risk factors for mental retardation such as low birth weight, and prematurity in the offspring of these children in future. Universal immunization of children with BCG, polio, DPT, and MMR to prevent many disorders having the propensity to damage the brain and thereby causing mental retardation. Rubella immunization (part of MMR) can totally eradicate the occurrence of maternal rubella syndrome

Avoid marriages among cousins Avoid marriage and pregnancy of girls

before 18 yrs and after 35 yrs. Of age

Thank You