Mental retardation (mr)

Mental retardation; in current uses; It is also called mental retardation, intellectual disability, intellectual disability, subnormal intelligence, oligophrenia, developmental disability, and developmental delay.

Intellectual retardation can be defined as an intelligence level of 70 or below according to clinical examination findings or according to the IQ (intelligence test) test. The frequency of mental retardation is given as 2-3% in various societies. It is more common in men. Children with mental retardation are usually brought in with the complaint of delay in speech. 10% of individuals with MR have serious comorbid psychiatric disorders. As the level of intelligence decreases, the risk of coexisting organic disorder and epilepsy increases.

Intelligence levels

Causes

There are many causes of MR. Prenatal period (prenatal causes) constitute 50-55%, Perinatal causes (depending on birth process) 10-15%, Postnatal causes (postnatal causes) 8-10%.

Prenatal Causes

Genetic disorders: Down syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, fragile X syndrome, phenylketonuria, prader willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, amimoacid metabolism disorders,…-Mother’s infections: CMV, HIV, toxoplasma , HSV…
-Toxins: Use of cigarettes, alcohol, other addictive substances,…
-Placental insufficiency, pregnancy toxemia, maternal metabolic disorders (hypothyroidism, diabetes…),…

Perinatal causes :

-Infections (encephalitis, meningitis,…)
-Asphyxia due to birth process
-Hyperbilirubinemia
-Convulsions…

Postnatal causes:

-Infections (encephalitis, meningitis)
-Toxins (lead, mercury,…)
-Psychosocial deprivation
-Nervous system traumas
-Nervous system tumors
-Metabolic diseases,…

Those with an IQ between 50-70 ‘trainable’, those below 50 are considered ‘teachable’.

The term educable explains that children can learn basic academic skills such as reading, writing, and math. 85% of mental retardation is in this group (mild MRI). Usually, their mental disabilities are not noticed by their parents or the environment before they start school. Generally, their motor development is normal, some speech delay may be seen. They meet most of their daily needs by themselves. Most complete primary education with support. For the most part, they can live on their own in their adult life. Cases with mild MR can achieve academic success at the 6th grade level of primary education.

The term teachable, they cannot be trained in basic academic skills, but social adaptation, practical communication and self-care skills required by daily life can be taught. 10% of mental retardation is moderate mental retardation. There are retardations in comprehension and language ability, self-care functions, and motor skills. Some of the cases with moderate MR can reach the first grade of primary school, but their education is usually limited to daily living skills and providing self-care.

Severe, severely severe and mentally ill cases should be kept under constant surveillance and all kinds of care should be determined by other people. Children in this group are diagnosed at a very early age, have significant motor retardation, and acquire speech skills either late, very little or not.

Coexisting reasons are also important in the education and training of children with mental retardation. Some disorders are chronic and progressive (which can get worse). In these cases, limitations arise in the skills that children can acquire.

Departure
While the term mental retardation is stigmatizing, it may not always last a lifetime. Factors such as the severity of MR in children, the presence of another organic disorder together, timely and appropriate special/general education, and the presence of additional psychiatric disorders (such as autism) may be determinative in the course of the disease. Education, which starts especially in the pre-school period and includes various areas of mental abilities, can be effective in solving problems, thinking abstractly, and making academic progress.