Mental retardation (also called mental handicapMental Handicap from PatientPlus, Comprehensive, free, up-to-date health information as provided by GPs to patients during consultations. Retrieved 28 June 2006. and, as defined by the UK Mental Health Act 1983, mental impairment and severe mental impairmentScope and Definitions from Nigel Turner's HyperGUIDE to the Mental Health Act. Retrieved 28 June 2006.) is a term for a pattern of persistently slow learning of basic motor and language skills ("milestones") during childhood, and a significantly below-normal global intellectual capacity as an adult. One common criterion for diagnosis of mental retardation is a tested intelligence quotient (IQ) of 70 or below.

People with mental retardation are people who are usually described as having developmental disabilities.

Alternate terms

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The term ''"mental retardation" has gradually acquired pejorative and shameful connotations over the last few decades and is now used almost exclusively in technical or scientific contexts where exactness is necessary.

• In North America the broad term developmental delay has become an increasingly preferred synonym by many parents and caregivers. Elsewhere, however, developmental delay is generally used to imply that appropriate intervention will improve or completely eliminate the condition, allowing for "catching up." Importantly, this term carries the emotionally powerful idea that the individual's current difficulties are likely to be temporary.
• Developmental disability is preferred by most physicians, but can also refer to any other physical or psychiatric delay, such as delayed puberty.
• Both the phrases intellectual disability and learning disability are increasingly being used as a synonym for people with significantly below-average IQ.MENCAP: Website of the UKs leading learning disability charity. Retrieved 28 June 2006 These terms are sometimes used as a means of separating general intellectual limitations from specific, limited deficits as well as indicating that it is not an emotional or psychological disability. Intellectual disability is also used to describe the outcome of traumatic brain injury or lead poisoning or dementing conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. It is not specific to congenital conditions like Down syndrome.

More on [ Mental retardation ]

Mental Retardation - Twitter Search

"Is mental retardation reversible?" asks Science Insider http://is.gd/4MdXi As @jonahlehrer writes in Nature, possibly: http://is.gd/4Me0H
bmahersciwriter (Brendan Maher) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:34:17 -0000
"Is mental retardation reversible?" asks Science Insider http://is.gd/4MdXi As @jonahlehrer writes in Nature, possibly: http://is.gd/4Me0H
"I think the 2012 hype is damaging everyone's brains, and hopefully I'll be a survivor of the mental retardation plague." amen
OscarFMusic (Oscar Fernandez) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:46:05 -0000
"I think the 2012 hype is damaging everyone's brains, and hopefully I'll be a survivor of the mental retardation plague." amen
Autism, Mental Retardation, LearninDifferences...CAME from HISTORY/HERSTORY of alcohol USE! AND, CONTININEOU$ phy/emotional ABUSE$$$
LindaLuNordling (Linda Lu-Nordling) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:30:26 -0000
Autism, Mental Retardation, LearninDifferences...CAME from HISTORY/HERSTORY of alcohol USE! AND, CONTININEOU$ phy/emotional ABUSE$$$
mental.. RT @ranieranie: retardation !!
RWatmaja (Randy W. Atmaja) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:25:23 -0000
mental.. RT @ranieranie: retardation !!
@honey_child_plz hey hott stuff! ;-) ;-) (double wink on the verge of mental retardation)
iAMshockley (Shockley) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:11:02 -0000
@honey_child_plz hey hott stuff! ;-) ;-) (double wink on the verge of mental retardation)
@honey_child_plz hey hott stuff! ;-) ;-) (double wink on the verge of appearing mental retardation)
iAMshockley (Shockley) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:10:54 -0000
@honey_child_plz hey hott stuff! ;-) ;-) (double wink on the verge of appearing mental retardation)

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