Answer:
Ans. The term mental retardation refers to intellectual functioning that is considerably below average combined with varying degrees of difficulty in meeting the demands of everyday life. In shorts it is a deficit in potential. The American Association on Mental Deficiency (AAMD) views mental retardation as "significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive and manifested during the developmental period." People are appropriately regarded as mentally retarded if they attain IQ's below 70 on an appropriate intelligence test. it is deficit in potential. their adaptive skills are inadequate to cope with the ordinary daily tasks. On the basis of low IQ alone, over two percent of our population can be regarded as retarded. the deficits must be observed during the developmental period, i.e., between zero and eighteen years of age. Two points are worth nothingfirst, low performance on a test may also be due to defects in vision, hearing and health which may lead to categorizing a person as mentally challenged. So these conditions should be kept in mind. Second the person's linguistic and cultural backgrounds must also be taken into consideration. Categories of mental retardation
Category Characteristics IQ Scores Behavioural Mild Retardation 55-69 Development typically slower than peers but can function independently, can hold jobs and may lead families life. Moderate Retardation 40-54 Slower than peers in language and motor abilities, they can be trained in self-help skills, social and communication skills, require moderate level of supervision in daily tasks. Severe Retardation 25-39 Incapable of managing life and its basic needs Profound Retardation Below 25 Need constant care for their entire lives.
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