1. Mentally disabled people are often disabled from birth, but some people become handicapped after an accident or illness which damages their brain. People who are mentally disabled will always have their disability, and although they can be helped to make the best use of their abilities, they cannot be ‘cured’. All mentally disabled people have some level of impairment to their intelligence which can affect their ability to learn and live an ordinary life. A severely disabled person may be unable to learn simple skills and may need help to get dressed etc. whereas a mildly disabled person may be able to look after him or herself completely and do a responsible job. There are many more mildly and moderately disabled people than severely disabled people. Some mentally disabled people have a physical handicap as well giving them further difficulties. What is mental disability? Why do we call it mental disability? ‘Mental disability’ is the most common term used, but in education some people talk about learning difficulties. These can be severe or moderate. In the past, other terms have been used such as ‘simple’ and ‘idiots’. These terms are not helpful in describing what mentally disabled people can do and they are degrading. People often use these terms wrongly when joking to insult people who have made a silly mistake. However, this insults the disabled who could be better described as ‘differently abled’. What causes mental disability? There are many different causes of mental disability, but in many cases the cause is not known. Parents of high, medium or low intelligence equal chances of having a mentally disabled child. In the population there are natural variations in intelligence - some people are very intelligent while others are less intelligent. Some forms of mental disability are inherited. Faulty chromosomes can cause disabilities like Down’s syndrome. Mental disability can result from the mother being ill during pregnancy e.g. due to German measles (rubella) or due to certain drugs and chemicals taken in. Brain damage during birth can be caused by a shortage of oxygen to the brain can result in mental disability. Infections, like meningitis, injuries and lead poisoning can cause mental disability. Road accidents are the most common disabling type of accident. Apart from their specific impairment, disabled people have the same abilities, needs and interests as everyone else. They are entitled to their rights as citizens. The greatest challenge that disabled people face is society’s misperception that they are a ‘breed apart’. Mental disability is not an illness.

2. Assessing the degree of mental disability. As there are many kinds of disability, it is difficult to measure mental disability. Assessment focuses on the needs of the person. A severely disabled person may be unable to learn simple skills and may need help to get dressed etc. whereas a mildly disabled person may be able to look after him or herself completely and do a responsible job. There are many more mildly and moderately disabled people than severely disabled people.