Mental RetardationMental Retardation

TLSE 240TLSE 240

IDEAIDEA

““Significantly sub-average Significantly sub-average intellectual functioning existing intellectual functioning existing with deficits in adaptive behavior with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the and manifested during the developmental period (before developmental period (before 18”…18”…

Intellectual Intellectual FunctioningFunctioning What is intelligence?What is intelligence?

– Different definitions and Different definitions and perspectivesperspectives

– Can your IQ change?Can your IQ change?– Measured by IQ testsMeasured by IQ tests– Solve problems, think abstractly, Solve problems, think abstractly,

remember important information, remember important information, generalize, etc.generalize, etc.

MRMR

At least 2 standard deviations At least 2 standard deviations below the meanbelow the mean

Show normal curveShow normal curve

IQ of 70 or 75 and belowIQ of 70 or 75 and below

Mental FunctioningMental Functioning

MildMild IQ 50 – 70 or 75IQ 50 – 70 or 75

ModerateModerate IQ 35 – 49IQ 35 – 49

SevereSevere IQ 20 – 34IQ 20 – 34

ProfoundProfoundIQ <20IQ <20

IQ formulaIQ formula

Traditional formula IQ = MA/CA X 100Traditional formula IQ = MA/CA X 100

Example: MA of 12, CA of 10, IQ =120Example: MA of 12, CA of 10, IQ =120

Example: MA of 5, CA of 10, IQ=50Example: MA of 5, CA of 10, IQ=50

IQ formula IQ formula continuedcontinued

Try these:Try these:

MA of 9, CA of 10, IQ = ?MA of 9, CA of 10, IQ = ?

MA of 7, CA of 12, IQ = ?MA of 7, CA of 12, IQ = ?

Adaptive BehaviorAdaptive Behavior

Skills learned by people in order Skills learned by people in order to function in everyday lifeto function in everyday life

3 Main Categories3 Main Categories

ConceptualConceptual

SocialSocial

practicalpractical

ConceptualConceptual

Academic-Academic-related skills related skills such as such as reading, reading, writing, money writing, money concepts, and concepts, and using languageusing language

SocialSocial

Interpersonal-Interpersonal-related skills related skills such as getting such as getting along with along with others, others, following rules following rules of society, and of society, and being being responsibleresponsible

PracticalPractical

Everyday Everyday activities such as activities such as eating, dressing, eating, dressing, toileting, toileting, cooking, and cooking, and using the using the telephonetelephone

Assessing Adaptive Assessing Adaptive BehaviorBehavior Rating scales or checklists Rating scales or checklists

completed by individuals who completed by individuals who know the child wellknow the child well

Compare scores to non MR Compare scores to non MR populationpopulation

Does a weakness exist?Does a weakness exist?

Need for SupportsNeed for Supports

33rdrd component of MR component of MR

A result of impaired intellectual A result of impaired intellectual and adaptive behavior skillsand adaptive behavior skills

Different levelsDifferent levels

Level of SupportLevel of Support

Intermittent – “as needed” basisIntermittent – “as needed” basis Limited – consistency over time, Limited – consistency over time,

few staff members, not high costfew staff members, not high cost Extensive – regular involvement in Extensive – regular involvement in

some environments, more staff some environments, more staff members, greater costmembers, greater cost

Pervasive – constant support and Pervasive – constant support and highly intensive supporthighly intensive support

ExamplesExamples

Intermittent – Intermittent – counseling at the counseling at the beginning of the beginning of the school yearschool year

Limited – support Limited – support to students with to students with mild MR in mild MR in inclusion coursesinclusion courses

continuedcontinued

Extensive – Extensive – support to support to students with students with moderate MR in moderate MR in inclusion coursesinclusion courses

Pervasive – 24 Pervasive – 24 hr/7day care for hr/7day care for medically fragile medically fragile conditioncondition

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Adaptive behavior skills are Adaptive behavior skills are needed.needed.

– Focus on self-careFocus on self-care

– Learn social skills with reciprocal Learn social skills with reciprocal relationshipsrelationships

Characteristics Characteristics continuedcontinued Physical Development is delayed.Physical Development is delayed.

– Motor skills lackingMotor skills lacking

– Sensory impairment commonSensory impairment common

Characteristics Characteristics continuedcontinued Health Care Needs are often Health Care Needs are often

extensive.extensive.

– Many are medically fragileMany are medically fragile– May need clean and intermittent May need clean and intermittent

catheterization, gastrostomy tube catheterization, gastrostomy tube feeding, respiratory ventilation, feeding, respiratory ventilation, medicationsmedications

– Seizures are commonSeizures are common

Characteristics Characteristics continuedcontinued Communication is Communication is

limited.limited.

– Eye movementsEye movements– NoisesNoises– Communication Communication

boardsboards– Sign LanguageSign Language

Causes of MRCauses of MR

May be classified May be classified as:as:

< prenatal (before < prenatal (before birth)birth)

< perinatal (during < perinatal (during birth process)birth process)

< postnatal (after < postnatal (after birth)birth)

Biomedical CausesBiomedical Causes

Examples:Examples:

– Fragile X syndromeFragile X syndrome

– Down Syndrome: extra chromosomeDown Syndrome: extra chromosome

– PKUPKU

Infections and Infections and IntoxicantsIntoxicants Examples:Examples:

– RubellaRubella– SyphilisSyphilis– Alcohol Alcohol

consumptionconsumption– Lead poisoningLead poisoning– Drug useDrug use– HIVHIV

Trauma or Physical Trauma or Physical agentagent Examples:Examples:

– Oxygen deprivationOxygen deprivation

– AccidentsAccidents

– Child abuseChild abuse

PsychosocialPsychosocial

Examples:Examples:

– Impoverished environmentImpoverished environment

– Poor nutritionPoor nutrition

Preventative Preventative StrategiesStrategies Early prenatal counselingEarly prenatal counseling Avoid sexually transmitted Avoid sexually transmitted

diseasesdiseases Infant screeningInfant screening Proper child nutritionProper child nutrition Prevent lead poisoningPrevent lead poisoning Early intervention programsEarly intervention programs

Prevention Strategies Prevention Strategies continuedcontinued Remove Remove

environmental environmental toxinstoxins

Vaccinate childrenVaccinate children Genetic Genetic

counselingcounseling Access to health Access to health

carecare OthersOthers

Some Teaching Ideas Some Teaching Ideas (mild)(mild) AccommodationsAccommodations

Task analysisTask analysis

Frequent positive reinforcementFrequent positive reinforcement

VisualsVisuals

continuedcontinued

Frequent reviewFrequent review

Pre teach vocabulary and conceptsPre teach vocabulary and concepts

Demonstrations/examples/modelingDemonstrations/examples/modeling

At times, alternative assignmentAt times, alternative assignment

Some Teaching Ideas Some Teaching Ideas (moderate)(moderate) Individualized Individualized

assignmentsassignments

Paraprofessional or Paraprofessional or assistant or buddy assistant or buddy systemsystem

Social skills Social skills instructioninstruction

Other therapies, as Other therapies, as per IEPper IEP

continuedcontinued

Structure and Structure and consistencyconsistency

Functional focusFunctional focus

Adjusted gradingAdjusted grading

Classroom climate Classroom climate of acceptanceof acceptance

To RememberTo Remember

MR can be mild, moderate, or MR can be mild, moderate, or severe/profoundsevere/profound

IQ and adaptive behavior must be IQ and adaptive behavior must be impairedimpaired

IQ = 2 or more SD below the meanIQ = 2 or more SD below the mean

continuedcontinued

The person will require different The person will require different levels of supportlevels of support

Many causes are preventableMany causes are preventable

Alternative teaching methods Alternative teaching methods may be neededmay be needed