The following information is intended to acquaint you with individuals with mental retardation. This information is by no means comprehensive, nor does it specifically address the multiple medical and physical handicapping conditions of many of the clients served by The Wayside. However, this is a beginning in understanding.
Another concept, important in the initial steps of understanding the goals and purposes of working with our clients, is the philosophy of "normalization". This refers to the effort to provide as normal a life-style as is possible for a person who has a disability. Contrary to the historical emphasis on "deviancy" or "differentness", the normalization principle minimizes one's differences, while maximizing one's potential. Each person has a right to living and learning experiences in a setting as culturally normative as possible under this concept. By understanding that we share the most common bond of all - that as humans, it is impossible to forget that each individual deserves to be treated with respect for one's own personal worth, integrity, and dignity.
What is Mental Retardation?
People with mental retardation are those who mature at a below average rate and experience unusual difficulty in learning and social adjustment. The most recent (1992) definition describes mental retardation as "substantial limitations in present functioning. It is characterized by significantly sub-average intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with related limitations in two or more of the following applicable adaptive skill areas: communication, self-care, home living, social skills, community use, self-direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure, and work. Mental retardation manifests before age 18." In terms of I.Q., people with mental retardation score below 70. This means that the measured intelligence of 97% of the general population is greater than that of people with mental retardation. All areas of abilities are affected, and the condition exists from childhood.
Mental retardation is not a disease, nor should it be confused with mental illness. Children with mental retardation grow into adults with basically the same condition. The major difference is that they learn at a slower rate and with greater difficulty.
How prevalent is the condition?
Persons with M.R. constitute one of the largest single groups with developmental disabilities in America. The group includes more than 6 million persons, and slightly more than 100,000 newborn children are likely to be added to this group each year unless far reaching preventative measures are discovered and employed. Today, one out of every 10 Americans have a direct involvement with the population by virtue of having a person in his/her family with M.R.
M.R. is four times more common that rheumatic heart disease and nine times more prevalent than cerebral palsy. It affects 15 times as many people as total blindness and 10 times as many children and adults as polio did before research provided the Salk vaccine.
What are the degrees of Mental Retardation?
About 89% of persons with mental retardation have an intermittent (mild) degree of M.R. These people differ primarily in rate and degree of intellectual development. While still young, their retardation is not very apparent, and these children are not usually identified as having retardation until they enter school. With proper education and guidance, these individuals can enter the competitive job market and the mainstream of daily community life.
People with limited (moderate) retardation, who comprise about 6% of the M.R. population, are more obviously disabled. Their disabilities are usually apparent before school age. However, appropriate educational opportunities throughout the developmental years can prepare these people for satisfying and productive lives in the community.
The remaining 5% of people with disabilities are extensively (severely) and pervasively (profoundly) retarded. In addition to major intellectual impairment, they frequently have other disabling conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, sight, and hearing impairments.
Recent technological advances have demonstrated that most people with extensive and pervasive retardation, can, and do, learn to care for their basic needs. They can also perform many functional work skills, and with further guidance, can adapt to regular patterns of life.
Can Mental Retardation be prevented?
Recent scientific developments have led some authorities to conclude that 50% of the causes of M.R. could be prevented if current knowledge were fully implemented. Unfortunately, many of the known preventative measures are not in use. Obviously, there is an urgent need not only to implement what is already know, but to discover means of preventing those many causes of M.R. for which effective prevention is still unknown.
Examples of specific approaches to prevention include:
- Damage due to Rh factor incompatibility can be prevented by blood exchange in the infant at the time of birth and special immunization of the mother.
- Quick treatment in cases of lead poisoning or, preferably, action to prevent children from eating paint containing lead.
- Measles vaccine - developed to combat rubella - can be helpful.
- Early detection and dietary treatment if effective in some forms of inborn errors of metabolism, such as PKU and galactosemia.
- Improved nutrition of pregnant women and young infants can reduce the dangers of retardation from malnutrition.
- Surgical techniques have proven effective in preventing M.R. resulting from accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain and premature fusion of the cranial sutures (cranio-synostosis).
- Better pediatric care, including antibiotics that control the high fever formerly associated with many of the dangerous children's diseases, also works to limit the possibility of M.R
Who could potentially be effected by some form of mental retardation?
M.R. can effect individuals of every race, religion and nationality, every educational, social and economic background. Some of our Nation's leading figures have had family members with some form of M.R. As a matter of fact, hereditary components are known to account for only a fraction of the cases of M.R.
What are the causes of mental retardation?
M.R. can be caused by any conditions which impair development of the brain before birth, during birth, or in the early childhood years. Well over 250 causes have already been discovered, but they account for only about one-fourth of all known cases of M.R. In three-fourth of the cases, the specific cause still remains unknown.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Genetic Irregularities - These result from abnormality of genes inherited from the parents, or from disorders of the genes caused during pregnancy by infections, over exposure to x-rays, and other factors. Inborn errors of metabolism which may produce M.R., such as PKU, fall in this category. Chromosomal abnormalities have likewise been related to some forms of M.R., such as Down's Syndrome.
- Problems during pregnancy - Malnutrition, as well as German Measles, glandular disorders and many other illnesses of the mother during pregnancy frequently result in a child being born with retardation. Physical malformations of the brain or other organs origination in prenatal life may also result in M.R.
- Problems at birth - Extraordinary prolonged labor, pelvic pressure, hemorrhages - any birth condition of unusual stress - may injure the infant's brain. Likewise, any reduction in the supply of oxygen to the infant's brain during birth may impair mental development. Rh factor incompatibility between mother and child, if not properly treated, can also lead to M.R.
- Problems after birth - Childhood diseases like whooping cough, chicken pox, measles, meningitis, scarlet fever, encephalitis and polio can damage the brain, as can accidents, such as a blow to the head. Glandular imbalance or malnutrition may prevent normal development, while substances such as lead and mercury can produce irreparable damage to the brain and nervous system.
- Environmental factors - The President's Committee on M.R. has concluded that 75% of our nation's citizens with M.R. come from urban and rural poverty areas. In addition to malnutrition, lead poisoning, disease-producing conditions, inadequate medical care and other health hazards associated with poverty conditions, children in disadvantaged areas are likely to be deprived of many common day to day experiences of more fortunate youngsters. Recent research suggests that such under-stimulation can result in irreparable damage and can serve as a cause of M.R.
Mental retardation has been defined traditionally as an irreversible condition. However, recent advances in technology have been such that there are strong indications that it may be possible within the foreseeable future to significantly enhance intellectual functioning and to reverse certain deteriorative processes. In the light of these positive indications, the National Association for Retarded Citizens has begun to actively encourage the scientific community to seek cures for disorders and conditions involved in M.R. through the application of current, and development of new, knowledge and technology.
Can mental retardation be made better or improved?
Almost all individuals with M.R. have the capacity to learn, to develop and to grow. The great majority can become economically productive, fully participating members of society.
All individuals with retardation need the same basic services which other human beings need for normal development. These services include education, vocational preparation, health services of all types, recreational opportunities, religious services and many more. Unfortunately, many people with retardation have been denied access to these services or have been provided with inappropriate services, often at an exorbitant cost to their families.
In addition to basic generic services, many people with M.R. need specialized services to meet extraordinary needs. Examples include vocational rehabilitation, sheltered workshops, work activity centers, diagnostic and evaluation centers, day-training, pre-school classes and all types of residential services. Traditionally, many of these services have been unavailable or of questionable quality.
Back To Top
A basic truism is that "you cannot benefit from an opportunity you've never had". Providing opportunities to people with mental retardation is one of our most important challenges and tasks. Providing education, living, work, and recreation-leisure services and supports in integrated settings creates situations that stimulate the person to grow and develop. Community-based integrated settings create situations that stimulate the person to grow and develop. Community-based integrated opportunities and wholesome environments can provide:
- An enhanced satisfaction with one's life.
- A sense of love, affection, and belonging that comes from loving relationships and friendships.
- A sense of security that comes from self-control and control over one's environment.
- Enhanced choice, opportunity, and control.
