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What Is Mental Retardation
You may have been exposed to people with mental retardation through books, movies, or TV--Of Mice and Men, Rain Man, or "Life Goes On"--or your own experiences. To know someone personally who has form of mental retardation can be a positive, enlightening experience.
What Is Mental Retardation
Mental retardation covers a wide ranges of capabilities. One way to measure mental ability is by giving an IQ Intelligence Quotient) test. The average IQ score is from 90 to 109. An Iq of below 70 indicates one of four levels of mental retardation; mild, moderate, severe, or profound.
In order to be diagnosed as mentally retarded, however, a person has to have a significantly low IQ as well as problems in adapting to everyday life. Most children who are retarded are only mildly retarded, and they can learn a great deal. At one time, physicians and other health professionals and advised parents to place their retarded children in special institutions. But Today, experts believe that all but those who require constant medical care are better off living in the community and going to the local public schools.
What Causes Mental retardation?
Mental retardation may result from a number of different factors. In a few cases, a single can be pinpointed. These causes may have such devastating effects that the person does not develop normally. These causes may be genetic or environmental.
Genetic conditions that can cause mental retardation include the presence of an extra chromosome or an abnormal chromosome in the cells. Chromosomes are cellular structures that contain genes. The presence of an extra chromosome causes Down syndrome. The characteristics of Down syndrome include mental retardation; slanting eyes; a long, thick tongue, short hands and feet; and, sometimes, heart defects. The retardation in someone with Down syndrome can range from mild to severe.
Environmental causes of mental retardation may occur before, during, or after birth. A child may become retarded if the mother contracts a disease such as rubella (German measles) or syphilis during her pregnancy. The mental development of a child may also be affected by the mother's health during her your or while she is pregnant. these factors include her nutrition, her age and general health, and her use of tobacco products, alcohol, or other drugs. Things that happen at birth also can cause retardation, such as premature birth, injury during delivery, and failure of the newborn baby to breathe properly. During childhood, retardation can result from such causes as brain infections, head injury, prolonged high fever, or swallowing poisonous substances.
Today a great deal can be done to help in the intellectual and social development of a person who is mentally retarded. Much of this treatment consists of education or training. In the United States, it is the legal right of every school-age child, no matter how severely retarded, to have the opportunity to learn to function to the best of his or her ability.
What You Can Do
It's OK if you fell a little uncomfortable at first with a person who is mentally retarded. Chances are, you are afraid because you don't completely understand the person's capabilities. But don't allow your fears to cause you to be cruel. Too often, students tease or make jokes about another student just because he or she is different. It's important to realize that people who are retarded experience joy, sadness, happiness, sorrow, anger, frustration ... just as you do. And they can be easily hurt by teasing and jokes.
Try to get over your fears. Often you can do this by getting more information. Talk to teachers, guidance counselors, parents, or anyone who might be able to help you. You might even want to talk directly to the person who is mentally retarded. Ask questions and admit your fears. He or she will be happy you made the effort.
Volunteering to work with people who are mentally retarded is an excellent way to see for yourself that they have the same feelings and desires you to do. You can volunteer with the Special Olympics (see sidebar) or at a clinic treats the mentally retarded. Aside from what you'll learn, you'll probably also make a friend or two.
RELATED ARTICLE: THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS
With the Summer Olympics taking place in Atlanta this year, you will be hearing more and more about these festive, traditional Games in the months ahead. Always exciting, this athletic event celebrates the talent, ambition, and dedication of athletes from around the world .Brought together not only to compete, nations to come together to put aside differences and share common goals.
But some equally inspiring games that perhaps you don't hear so much about are the Special Olympics, an international program of athletic training and competition for children and adults who are mentally retarded. Bringing together athletes or all abilities, The Special Olympics truly are special, not only for those participate as athletes, but for their families and friends--and for the many volunteers and onlookers.
The Special Olympics is a lot like the real Olympics. But while these games provide for great competition, the best part is what they do for the athletes. It gives these special people a reason to develop physical fitness, show their courage, enjoy themselves, and make friends.
Special Olympics athletes gain confidence and build a more positive self-images, which carries over into other aspects of their lives.
Special Olympics athletes compete in the same sports as Olympic competitors, including alpine and cross-country skiing, swimming, track and field, basketball, bowling, figure skating, gymnastics, hockey (floor), soccer, softball, speed skating, tennis, and volleyball. The Winter and Summer International Games are held every two years, in the odd years between the other Olympics. More than 140 countries participate. In the United States, special Olympics games are held every year at the local, regional, and state levels.
To become a volunteer with the Special Olympics, call your local Special Olympics organization. You can find the number in your local phone book. Do it for the athletes--but most of all, do it to yourself.
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