Understanding Mental Retardation

  •   Fri, May 06 2011
  •   By Preethi Baretto (MSW), Mangalore/Doha- Qatar

May 7, 2011

One of three percent of the general population has mental retardation. Mental retardation is a condition of abnormal mental development. It’s present at birth or early childhood and is characterized by limited intelligence and social inadequacy. Mentally retarded are also called as mentally challenged people.

Mental retardation is defined as significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning, associated with significant deficit or impairment in adaptive functioning, which manifests during the developmental period (before 18 years of age). Adaptive behaviour is the person’s ability to meet the responsibilities of social, personal, occupational and interpersonal areas of life according to his/her age and socio-cultural and educational background.

Characteristics of Mental Retardation

1. IQ level of these children is below 70
2. These children are slower in performance of their Mile Stones
3. Some children with Mental retardation are incapable of taking care of themselves; they need custodial care in spite of the training.


Classification of Mental Metardation by IQ

1. Mild Mental Retardation: This is a common type of mental retardation. 90% of cases have this type of mental retardation. In pre-school stage (below 5 years) these children face problems with school studies. These are called as educators as they are able to read, write and do simple arithmetic sums.
 
2. Moderate: They are called as trainable; they are self-supportive and can do simple routine works.

3. Severe: Poor motor development, delay in speech and other communication skills. Called as dependents as they can work under supervision.

4. Profound: It includes 1-2% of all people with mental retardation. Marked delay in milestones is common. They need life support under planned environment like group homes or residential placements.

 


Working with the Mentally Challenged Children

- Children need to be checked properly and clearly. Their behavioural problems, the repetitive activities they do etc. Thus thorough check up will enable further planning for the child.

- Education and training according to their abilities has to be given to the children here. Example: Training to toilet, eat, etc.

- Recreation: The children with mental retardation must be allowed to play. Hence, involving themselves in some activity or play will provide a way for these children to overcome their stress, guilt and to make their own space with other children.

- Medication: Follow up and medication will aid in to improve the disturbed and distractive behavior of mentally retarded child. Distractive behaviour like breaking things / toys and head banging.

- Occupational training: This is mainly practiced for the children in special homes. As per their aptitude and need, training is provided. Through this, capacity is built within these children to do some works of their ability.

- Follow up: Follow up of their medication, training and education has to be done systematically and regularly.


Working with the ‘Family’ of Mentally Retarded Children

• Counseling the family members to accept the limitations and disability of the child.

• Helping them to stop shopping around with different doctors / hospitals with the hope of cure or treatment.

• Home training to the children by parents to eat, clean, dressing up etc

• Encouraging attitudinal change in the parents – not being over-protective or rejecting the child.

• Dealing with common problems like autistic features in child, temper tantrums, teaching toilet training to child.

• Alternative home situation: Knowledge is given to the parents to look after their mentally retarded child alternatively by both at different times and situations without arguments.

• Working with the siblings of mentally retarded child: Their siblings may feel embarrassed to bring their friends home. These things have to be dealt with. Acceptance of mentally retarded child / sibling will help to overcome the shame and embarrassment within and outside the family.

• Family group therapy: To help siblings, parents to mingle with mentally retarded child. To cope with problems in communication, adjustment, and to build up better relationship among family members.

Being mentally retarded is not a curse. They are same like normal people in feelings and emotions. Certain training and education can make them one amongst us. Acceptance of mentally retarded people with an open heart is what they want from the society. To be loved, cared by family and others is also their right. One thing is true - they are pure in their heart and mind towards all human beings.
By Preethi Baretto (MSW), Mangalore/Doha- Qatar
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Comment on this article

  • Maria Fernandes, M'lore / Doha

    Wed, May 11 2011

    Well done Preethi.. Keep it up..

    good Article..

    You are an Inspiration for youth..

  • Kenet, Qatar

    Wed, May 11 2011

    Good article. This article is very usefull for those suffering mental retardation .Every human bieng have to support those mentally ill people to solve thire problems.

  • Desmond , Mangalore

    Mon, May 09 2011

    Nice Article. But it sad to note that in India still majority of Public think that "People with Intellectual Disability" means insane (Mad), lunatic etc. The insane people are created by our society/tensions etc but "People with Intellectual Disability" is an Biological Disorder due several factors, like genetics defect, problems during pregnancy, mother diet etc. So lets all try to remove the stigma attached to these gifted children.

  • Sandra Dsouza, Melbourne , Australia

    Sun, May 08 2011

    Great analysis on the subject but as a mother of a child with Developmental Delay I find it highly offensive . Yes Intellectual disability / Developmental Delays are the more appropriate terms ...imparting dignity to all individuals irrespective of their IQ levels is key .

  • James,

    Sun, May 08 2011

    Thank you for your article. I agree with Preethi & Maureen. Mentally Retarded is a derogatory term that has not been used in US for more than 10 years. The politically correct term is Cognitively Challenged, or any other similiar terminology "- - - Challenged".

  • Preethi , MSW, Mangalore, Doha-Qatar

    Sat, May 07 2011

    Maureen,
    I am glad to read your comment. This article is mainly for the knowledge of General public. So that Needy People Can avail Treatment at right time.
    As Mental Health Professionals, we are much aware of New terms.
    I am sad to say that, its not
    "old fashioned terms" , but with RESPECT to the people with mental retardation, we call them - Specially Abled people.
    Intellectual Disability' or 'Developmental delay are some of the Terms used to describe the characteristics of people who are Specially Abled.

    Regards,
    Preethi, MSW

  • Maureen D'costa, Mangalore, Sydney

    Fri, May 06 2011

    Preethi,
    Good article. But I am sorry to say that we do not use the word 'Mental Retardation' any more. The word 'RETARD' is an old fashioned term. In modern world it is termed as 'People with Intellectual Disability' or 'Developmental delay'. Since I have been working with people with Intellectual disability and mental health, I felt that people should know the right term.
    Regards & best wishes,
    Maureen


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