Mental Retardation

An individual is considered to have mental retardation based on the following criteria: Sub-average IQ (less than 70) Deficits in at least two areas of adaptive skills: communication, self-care, social skills, academics, leisure, health, and safety. Onset before the age of 18

Mental Retardation Borderline (IQ=71-84) Mild (IQ=55-70) Moderate (IQ=40-55) Severe (IQ=25-40) Profound (IQ<25)

Epidemiology Prevalence 1% Peak y M/F 3/2

Comorbidity Disruptive behavior Self-mutilation Repetetive streotypical behavior Mood disorder ADHD Conduct disorder PDDschizophrenia

Comorbidity Language delay Fine-motor and gross motor delay Neurological and physical abnormalities Children with MR also have visual and hearing impairments

Etiology of Mental Retardation Mental retardation can be caused by any condition which impairs the development of the brain before birth, during birth or in the childhood years. The major causes include: Genetic conditions: Down’s syndrome, Fragile X- syndrome, and Tuberous sclerosis Problems during pregnancy: Fetal alcohol syndrome and smoking Problems during birth: Pre-maturity and low birth weight Problems after birth: Viruses such as chicken pox, measles, and meningitis

Treatments: Medical treatment: special educators, language therapists, behavioral therapists, occupational therapists No specific drug to treat cognitive deficiency, but can be prescribed for specific comorbid psychiatric disease or behavioral disturbances