Mental Retardation

Occurrence
Mental retardation and physical disabilities account for the population traditionally thought of as disabled. Most teachers will work with these children in school. This group makes up only a small portion of those classified as disabled, but may require a large part of the resources needed.

Definition
1.

Mental retardation refers to significantly sub average general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period (AAMD definition). Test scores, social skills, and age of onset determine the placement.

Intellectual functioning
IQ = Mental Age/Chronological Age * 100. The more severe the retardation the lower the ratio of MA/CA i.e. a ten year old with a MA of 5, IQ = 50. The children are classified as mild (50 -70), moderate (35 55), severe (20 35), and profound (>20). The MR child will tend function closer to their CA in physical ability then in their mental functioning.

Down syndrome
Down

syndrome children are characterized by a distinctive set of physical characteristics. These physical characteristics need to be factored in program planning.

Needs
The

MR child will need modifications in rules and simplification of directions to perform in class activities. Their skill and fitness level tends to be below normal. Studies show that the MR child can develop skills and fitness with instruction and practice.

Programming
Children

with Mental Retardation can benefit from physical activity. Programming needs to be inclusive as much as possible.

Causes
Mothers

under 16 over 40.

Programming
Children

with Mental Retardation can benefit from physical activity. Programming needs to be inclusive as much as possible.

Programming
Children

with Mental Retardation can benefit from physical activity. Programming needs to be inclusive as much as possible.

Programming
Children

with Mental Retardation can benefit from physical activity. Programming needs to be inclusive as much as possible.