Mental Retardation

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Mental Retardation

• BCE 548
• Meeting 4
• February 10, 2003

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Mental Retardation

• Difficulties in learning, thinking, and adaptive
  behavior diagnosed in childhood or adolescence
  according to
• IQ Testing
• Deficits in Adaptive Behavior

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Causes of Mental Retardation

• For many/most persons, no known cause.
• Known agents/causes
• Sociocultural Isolation
• Lack of stimulation
• Infections (Rubella, venereal disease, Strep
  Infection).
• Anoxia (also can cause epilepsy or cerebral
  palsy)
• Rh Factor Incompatability
• Downs Syndrome (also called Trisomy 21)
• Fragile X Syndrome
• Prader-Willi Syndrome
• Phenylketonuria (PKU)
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

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Downs Syndrome

• The presence of three, rather than two, 21st
  chromosomes (hence, Trisomy 21). Normally,
  humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes.
• The extra chromosome causes numerous physical
  abnormalities
• Flattening of the face and nose, slanting of the
  eyes
• Tongue is thick and fissured.
• Skin is dry and the hair thin and fine
• Muscle tone and coordination is poor
• Growth is stunted.
• Lack of a third knuckle in the little fingers
• Cardiovascular problems, including heart murmurs
  and circulatory deficiency often cause
  serious complications which lead to shortening of
  the life span.
• Infertility
• Individuals with down syndrome are usually
  moderately mentally retarded, but this can vary.

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Fragile X Syndrome

• A genetic defect causing weakness in an arm of
  the X chromosome, causing
• developmental delays
• placing of objects in the mouth beyond the age at
  which this is acceptable
• behavior problems, often causing diagnosis of
  autism (problems with change, frequent temper
  tantrums, desire for aloneness
• characteristic appearance of high forehead and
  elongated face.

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Prader-Willi Syndrome

• Another genetic disorder causing numerous
  problems of behavior and development, such as
• Temper tantrums
• Compulsive behavior
• Some of the behavior can be rather bizarre
  (self-mutilation compulsive desire to overeat).

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Phenylketonuria (PKU)

• A disorder of the metabolism of phenylalanine, a
  substance present in milk and also in products
  containing aspertame (NutraSweet).
• Phenylalanine is not metabolized by the body it
  accumulates in the blood and reaches toxic
  levels, damaging various body structures,
  including the brain.
• PKU is largely preventable, and testing for PKU
• in newborns is required in a number of states.

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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

• The result of alcohol consumption by the mother
  during pregnancy and the effect upon the
  developing fetus.
• Individuals with FAS often have mental
  retardation and display certain characteristic
  facial abnormalities.

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Mental Retardation and IQ Testing

• The severity of Mental Retardation is determined
  by IQ testing, and classified as mild
  (educable) (85 of persons with MR), moderate
  (trainable) (10), severe (3), or profound
  (2).
• Weschler Intelligence
• Stanford-Binet Scale for Children DSM
• MILD 68-52 69-55 50-70
  
• MODERATE 51-36 54-40 35-50
  
  
• SEVERE 35-20 39-25
  20-35
• PROFOUND 0-19 0-24
  0-20
• Normal Intelligence 70-130
• Borderline Intellectual Functioning 71-84

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Adaptive Behavior

• To be diagnosed as mentally retarded, a child
  must also have deficits in at least two of the
  following adaptive behavior areas, according to
  age and community/cultural standard
• Communication - Self-Direction
• Self Care - Functional Academic Skills
• Home Living - Work
• Social/Interpersonal - Leisure
• Skills - Health
• Use of Community - Safety
• Resources
• Some tests used to measure adaptive behavior
  include the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale,
  American Association of Mental Retardation
  Adaptive Behavior Scale

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Vocational Rehabilitation

• Many persons with mild MR are able to adapt as
  adults, live typical lives, and lose their
  labels.
• Level of MR will determine capacity for
  vocational activity, independent living.
• Mild MR may be able to work competitively
  without supports, live independently.
• Moderate MR may be able to work without supports
  but usually require some supports (such as a job
  coach). May be most functional in a group home
  environment.
• Severe/Profound will definitely require
  significant planning and supports if able to work
  competitively at all. May be able to live in
  group home, but often require institutional care.

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Vocational Assessment

• Valid assessment is key to determining goals for
  independent living and vocational success.
• May be difficulttraditional assessment
  instruments may not provide good information
  about the abilities of persons with mental
  retardation.
• Alternatives include situational assessment
  (observation of individual in work environment),
  learning curve assessment (determining the rate
  and potential for learning through multiple
  trials of a task), and learning style assessment.
• Philosophy should be edumetric (determining ways
  to attain desired outcomes given the individuals
  assets) rather than psychometric (measuring an
  individuals assets to determine potential).