Definition

Mental retardation is characterized by sub-average cognitive functioning which includes deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors and personal IQ in WAIS below 70 or 69 in Standardized-Binet intelligence scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

• With medical Care : epilepsy should be excluded and watch out for rarely happened self-abuse and aggressiveness.
• With education : early intervention is needed before children enrolling in preschool, and prepares them for vocational expertise. 
• During grow-up : boys often start masturbation after puberty and girls might suffer from sexual assault; guide and teach them a general idea of sexual problem and its potential drawbacks to prevent tragic from happening.
• With their career : according to the social welfare, retarded children are entitled to protective working rights; guide them toward jobs with training, guaranteed pay, and a reachable location.
• Problems start to emerge when parents of those special kids grow old; do not panic and make good use of social welfare frequently to obtain supports and assistance and suggestions.
• With marriage life : Mostly marriage of MR is not recommended though it is allowed in some countries.

Treatment and Care

Currently, there is no specific medication for mental retardation, though with appropriate support and teaching, most individuals can learn to do many things throughout their lives and can obtain many new skills even late in life with the help of their families, caregivers, clinicians, and the people who coordinate the efforts of all of these people.

Importance

Family of mental retardation should not be overly protective to your child; instead stay neutral in order to assist your child with objective attitude, for negative attitude not only affects your child psychologically and habitually but also refrains him or her a chance from living a better life.