Mental Retardation

Paper Summary:

This paper describes the many social problems that mentally retarded people must deal on a daily basis, including a general lack of knowledge about mental retardation, a lack of community services for the mentally retarded, the tendency to over medicate mentally retarded persons and a lack of alternative educational programs. The paper also describes characteristics typical of the mentally retarded as well as measures that could be taken that would help mentally retarded persons to lead independent lives and achieve normalization.

From the Paper:

"It is reported that 3 to 4 per 1,000 people are mentally retarded (Ellis, 1986). It is not always easy to recognize a mentally retarded person by a customary glance. Two main ways to determine mental retardation are: (1) certain physical characteristics and/or (2) when an infant/child fails to make normal developmental progress (mental or physical) (Ellis, 1986). One major problem regarding mental retardation is knowledge of the accurate definition and limitations of the disability (Bray, 1990). In the past, society and several professions have not given mentally retarded persons the necessary resources. An accurate knowledge base of the disability is necessary before proper resources can be created (AAMR, 1992). Contrary to popular belief, mental retardation is not something a person has, is not a medical disorder not a mental disorder, but rather a developmental disability (AAMR, 1992). The level of functioning requires information regarding the person capabilities (intelligence, adaptive skills), and environments (home, work, school, community) (AMMR, 1992)."

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