Mental Retardation

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, because of the difficult of diagnosing accurately mental retardation in very young children, these children are often placed in early intervention programs without their final diagnoses having been completed. The author points out that the treatment should involve helping the person gain basic academic skills, such as reading, writing and arithmetic, which will support functional life skills, appropriate social skills and behavior management techniques for any inappropriate behavior. The paper relates that mentally retarded students may benefit from inclusion programs when younger; but, when older, it may have more negative effects unless the non-handicapped students are supportive of the program.

Table of Contents
Early Signs of Mental Retardation
Causes
Assessment
Treatment
Inclusion with Mental Retardation

From the Paper:

"While low IQ as measured on a good cognitive test is a cornerstone for the diagnosis of mental retardation, functional and adaptive skills must also be evaluated. A person who scores low on an IQ test but who functions adequately in life, for instance using public transportation, handling money adequately and living independently does not function as a retarded person and should not be diagnosed as such. A medical evaluation can look at developmental milestone and rule out causes such as deafness."

More papers on Mental Retardation:

• Analytical Essay # 144173 : "Interventions for Children with Mental Retardation"
• Descriptive Essay # 140234 : "Mental Retardation"
• Essay # 5228 : "Mental Retardation and Motor Skills"

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