In order to be considered mentally retarded, you must have an IQ below 75, havesignificant limitations in two or more adaptive skill areas, and the conditionis present from childhood (defined as age 18 or younger).
People can be mentallyretarded as all different levels. About 78% of mentally retarded people willonly be a little slower than the average person, while in others it is veryapparent (Arc of New Jersey). There are many causes of mental retardation. Onecause of mental retardation is of genetic conditions. That includes; abnormalgene mixes from parents, errors when genes combine, overexposure to x-rays, andmany more reasons. More than 500 genetic diseases are associated with mentalretardation.
Down Syndrome is an example of a chromosomal disorder (MentalRetardation Issues). Chromosomal disorders occur every once in a while, and arecaused by too many or too few chromosomes in the restructure of the chromosomes(The Arc of New Jersey). Another cause is problems during pregnancy. It couldhappen if the mother drinks or does drugs while pregnant with the baby. Otherrisks include malnutrition, certain environmental contaminants, and the mothercould get ill during the pregnancy. Pregnant women who are infected with HIV maypass it on to their child.
Also very stressful and physical pregnancies andbirths can cause damage to a child’s brain (Introduction to MentalRetardation). Mental Retardation also occurs frequently after birth. Childhooddiseases such as big coughs, chicken pox, measles, and hip disease, which maylead to meningitis and encephalitis, can damage the brain, as can accidents suchas being hit in the head, near drowning situations, and most other accidentsinvolving the head. Another that can be harmful to a child mentally isenvironmental fumes, lead, mercury, and other dangerous toxins (Introduction toAn American History of Mental Retardation). BibliographyIntroduction to An American History of Mental Retardation.
3-28-00. http://member. aol. com/MRandDD/introhx. htm.
Introduction to Mental Retardation. 2-25-00. http://thearc. org/faqs/mrqa. htmlMental Retardation Issues.
2-27-00. http://members. amaonline. com/nrogers/mr. htmThe Arc of New Jersey. What is MR.
2-27-00. http://www.arcnj.org/html/what_is_mr.html
