Mental Retardation

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Mental Retardation
Pages 253-2258 Qz.9
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Mental Retardation
Questions

• 1.What are the criteria for mental retardation?
• 2.What are some of the Biological causes of
  retardation?3. Where do those with Down Syndrome
  fit into the Mental Retardation picture?
• 4. What is Cultural Familial retardation?
• 5. What is Mainstreaming/Inclusion?
• Its purpose?
• Agree or Disagree?

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CAUSES OF MENTAL RETARDATION page 254 (paragraph
3)
Some causes of retardation are biological.
Retardation can stem from chromosomal
abnormalities, for example, as in Down Syndrome
genetic disorders, such as phenylketonuria (PKU)
and brain damage. Brain damage may have many
origins, including accidents during childhood and
problems during pregnancy. For example, maternal
alcohol abuse, malnutrition, or diseases during
pregnancy can lead to retardation in the unborn
child. (Rathus, Essentials of Psychology)
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Congenital Heart Disease
DESCRIPTION
Structural defect affecting the hearts ability
to circulate blood. May be minor or severe.
(Congenital means present at birth)
CAUSES
Hereditary and/or environmental often unknown
DETECTION
Examination at birth or later
TREATMENT
Surgery or medication
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PKU (Phenylketonuria)
DESCRIPTION
Inability of body to metabolize (process and use)
a specific protein. Mental retardation can result
CAUSES
Hereditary. Carried on recessive gene.
DETECTION
Newborn can be tested for condition (required by
law in some states.
TREATMENT
If diagnosed early, a special diet can reduce or
prevent brain damage. No known cure
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PKU
Phenylkentonuria - protein disorder where the
body can not metabolize a part of protein called
Phenylalanie (PHE) in foods. As a result brain
development and functions are seriously impaired.
Recognizable before the age of 1 when
undetected. Treatable through a life long diet
that is low in PHE. (low in protien)
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Down Syndrome
DESCRIPTION
A group of associated defects including mental
retardation, delayed development, heart defects
(in some cases), and other characteristics
CAUSES
Chromosomal error. For reasons not yet
understood, there is an extra chromosome 21.
DETECTION
Analysis of the chromosomes. Amniocentesis or
chorionic villi sampling can detect the syndrome
before birth
TREATMENT
Special therapy and schooling, corrective surgery

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DOWN SYNDROME FACT SHEET
Named after John Langdon Down, the first
physician to identify the syndrome, Down syndrome
is the most frequent genetic cause of mild to
moderate mental retardation and associated
medical problems and occurs in one out of 800
live births, in all races and economic groups.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder caused by
an error in cell division that results in the
presence of an additional third chromosome 21 or
"trisomy 21." Down Syndrome occurs when the
fertilized egg contains extra material from
chromosome number 21, this results in Down
syndrome.
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RELATIONSHIP OF DOWN SYNDROME INCIDENCE TO
MOTHERS' AGE Under 30 Less than 1 in 1,000
30 1 in 900 35 1 in 400 36 1 in
300 37 1 in 230 38 1 in 180 39 1
in 135 40 1 in 105 42 1 in 60 44 1
in 35 46 1 in 20 48 1 in 16 49 1
in 12 Source Hook, E.G., Lindsjo, A. Down
Syndrome in Live Births by Single Year Maternal
Age.
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• DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR DOWN SYNDROME
• AMNIOCENTESIS
• The removal and analysis of a small sample of
  fetal cells from the amniotic fluid.
• Cannot be done until the 14-18th week of
  pregnancy
• Lower risk of miscarriage than chorionic villus
  sampling
• CHORIONIC VILLUS SAMPLING (CVS)
• Extraction of a tiny amount of fetal tissue at 9
  to 11 weeks of pregnancy
• The tissue is tested for the presence of extra
  material from chromosome 21
• Carries a 1-2 risk of miscarriage
• PERCUTANEOUS UMBILICAL BLOOD SAMPLING (PUBS)
• Most accurate method used to confirm the results
  of CVS or amniocentesis.
• The tissue is tested for the presence of extra
  material from chromosome 21
• PUBS cannot be done until the 18-22nd week
• Carries the greatest risk of miscarriage

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Signs and Symptoms

• slanting, almond-shaped eyes
• protruding tongue
• small open mouth
• small skull
• flat bridge on nose
• flat face
• small ears

• short neck
• IQ 30-50
• slow to sit, walk, and talk
• usually docile, easily managed
• congenital heart defects
• leukemia
• acute/chronic infections

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TREATMENT

• NO KNOWN CURE

• Amino acid supplements and a drug known as
  Piracetam. Piracetam is a psychoactive drug that
  some believe may improve cognitive function.

• Surgery to correct heart defects/abnormalities/fea
  tures (readings)(video)

• Specialize care, support groups for families

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Also associated with Mental Retardation is
AUTISM. So, what is it?
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Autism
Autism is a developmental disability that
typically appears during the first three years of
life. The result of a neurological disorder that
affects functioning of the brain, Autism and its
associated behaviors have been estimated to occur
in as many as 1 in 500 individuals. Autism is
four times more prevalent in boys than girls and
knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries.
Family income, lifestyle and educational levels
do not affect the chance of Autisms occurrence.
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Autism impacts the normal development of the
brain in the areas of social interactions and
communication and communication skills. Children
and adults with Autism typically have
difficulties in verbal and non-verbal
communication, social interactions and leisure or
play activities. The disorder makes it hard for
them to communicate with others and relate to the
outside world. They may exhibit repeated body
movements (hand flapping, rocking), unusual
responses to people or attachments to objects and
resist any changes in routines. In some cases,
aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be
present. Over on half million people in the
U.S. today have some form of Autism. Its
prevalence rate now places it as the third most
common developmental disability more common
than Downs syndrome.
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IS AUTISM DIFFERENT FROM MENTAL
RETARDATION? Yes. Autism and mental
retardation often co-exist. It is estimated that
between 75 and 80 of people with Autism also
exhibit some degree of functional retardation
though they may have peaks and valleys of
strengths and weaknesses. This distinguishes
them from individuals with mental retardation who
generally have a consistent developmental level
in most of their personal skills and traits. As
well, the severe impairments in social
interaction and communication characteristic of
Autism require specific and specialized programs
and supports.
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Cultural Familial Retardation Text pg. 254-255
NELL Jodie Foster Liam Neson
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Determinants of Intelligence
1. What factors determine intelligence?
2. If maze-bright rats produce maze-bright little
rats, why dont we do this with humans?

• 3. Examine Figure 6.9 on page 255
• Who has the highest correlation in IQ scores?
• Who has the lowest?
• What is the approximate correlation of brothers
  sisters living together? What does this tell you?
• Is your IQ closer to your parents or brothers and
  sisters?
• What group has the lowest correlation of IQ next
  to unrelated, reared apart?

4. Discuss the effect of natural parents as
opposed to adopted parents and their effect on IQ.
5. What is a monozygotic twin and a dizygotic
twin?