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Levels of Mental Retardation
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| Mild
Mental Retardation |
This group constitutes by far
the largest number of those labeled mentally retarded. Persons in this group are
considered "educable", and their intellectual levels as adults are comparable to
that of the average 8 to 11 year old child. Their social adjustment often approximates
that of the adolescent, although they tend to lack the normal adolescent's imagination,
inventiveness, and judgement. Ordinarily they do not show the signs of brain pathology or
other physical anomalies. Often they require some measure of supervision due to limited
ability to foresee the consequences of their actions. With early diagnosis, parental
assistance, and special educational programs, the great majority can adjust socially,
master simple academic and occupational skills, and become self-supporting citizens.
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| Moderate Mental Retardation |
| Individuals in this group are
likely to fall in the educational category of "trainable". In adult life,
individuals classified as moderately retarded attain intellectual levels similar to that
of the average 4 to 7-year-old child. While some of the brighter ones can be taught to
read and write a little, and some manage to achieve a fair command of spoken language, the
rate of learning is relatively slow among members of this group, and the level of
conceptualizing extremely limited. Physically, they usually appear clumsy and ungainly,
and they suffer from bodily deformities and poor motor coordination. A distinct minority
of these children is hostile and aggressive, but typically they present an affable and
somewhat vacuous personality picture. With early diagnosis, parental help, and adequate
opportunities for training, most of the moderately retarded can achieve partial
independence in daily self-care, acceptable behavior, and economic usefulness in a family
or other sheltered environment. Whether or not they require institutionalization usually
depends on their general level of adaptive behavior and the nature of their home
situation.
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| Severe Mental Retardation |
Individuals in this group are
sometimes referred to as "dependent retarded". Among these individuals, motor
and speech development is severely retarded and sensory defects and motor handicaps are
common. These mental retardates can develop limited levels of personal hygiene and
self-help skills, which somewhat lessen their dependence, but all their lives they will be
dependent on others for care. However, many profit to some extent from training and can
perform simple occupational tasks under supervision.
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| Profound Mental Retardation |
The term "life
support" mental retardate is sometimes used in referring to individuals in this
category. Most of these persons are severely deficient in adaptive behavior and unable to
master any but simplest tasks. Useful speech, if develops at all, is on the rudimentary
level. Severe physical deformities, central nervous system pathology, and retarded growth
are typical, and convulsive seizures, mutism, deafness, and other physical anomalies are
common. These retardates must maintain in custodial care all their lives. However, health
and resistance to disease is lowered, and a short life expectancy is usual.
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