Gourt > Kids and Teens > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Mental Retardation
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
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.
Sometimes other people's mental retardation makes ME drool on myself.
Smith_W_6079 (Winston Smith) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:01:27 -0000
Sometimes other people's mental retardation makes ME drool on myself.
http://tiny.cc/RnoRC - Proof that exposure to MSG can cause severe mental retardation. Whoever you girls are, we love you
notoriousmsg (Notorious MSG) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:39:03 -0000
http://tiny.cc/RnoRC - Proof that exposure to MSG can cause severe mental retardation. Whoever you girls are, we love you
I left all 4 TVs on in the house and they were all on mute...seems like some sort of mental retardation...I always do that....lol....
Fudgeworksfilms (Fudgeworksfilms) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:12:57 -0000
I left all 4 TVs on in the house and they were all on mute...seems like some sort of mental retardation...I always do that....lol....
@iClarise HE CALLED A FAMOUS BRAZILIAN BLOGGER RETARDED. MENTAL RETARDATION IS NOT FUNNY...& HE KNO HE IN THE PUBLIC EYE SO Y SAY THAT?
CAKincy (C.Kincy) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:08:53 -0000
@iClarise HE CALLED A FAMOUS BRAZILIAN BLOGGER RETARDED. MENTAL RETARDATION IS NOT FUNNY...& HE KNO HE IN THE PUBLIC EYE SO Y SAY THAT?
RT @Pr3tTy_Bo1: RT @yungsouljah: Rt @Pr3tTy_Bo1: @CaramelKisses2U + helmet = #bombasssex<--iCudda swore dat = mental retardation< LMAO n ...
CaramelKisses2U (Alli Willis) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:48:51 -0000
RT @Pr3tTy_Bo1: RT @yungsouljah: Rt @Pr3tTy_Bo1: @CaramelKisses2U + helmet = #bombasssex<--iCudda swore dat = mental retardation< LMAO n ...
RT @yungsouljah: Rt @Pr3tTy_Bo1: @CaramelKisses2U + helmet = #bombasssex<--iCudda swore dat = mental retardation< LMAO nal bra datz #safesex
Pr3tTy_Bo1 (Pr3tTy Bo1) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:44:33 -0000
RT @yungsouljah: Rt @Pr3tTy_Bo1: @CaramelKisses2U + helmet = #bombasssex<--iCudda swore dat = mental retardation< LMAO nal bra datz #safesex
Fact Sheet: Mental Retardation - Definition, causes, diagnosis, and information from the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities.
KidsHealth: Mental Retardation - Provides a definition, suspected causes, and what life is like for someone who is mentally retarded.
Meta Description: [ Mental retardation means that someone has less than average intelligence. Find out more in this article for kids. ]
| education | |
| Next Video | |
