Mental Retardation & Autism
a) Mental Retardation: Mental retardation is
defined as involving significantly sub-average general intelligence
(determined using standardized intelligence tests), significant
limitation in adaptive functioning in 2 or more skill areas. There
are 4 levels of retardation - mild, moderate, severe and profound.
Eighty-five percent of people diagnosed with mental retardation
fall into the mild category and lead relatively independent lives.
People with moderate retardation can learn to care for themselves
but do not become independent, and people with profound and severe
retardation need considerable supervision. Physical or genetic
anomalies are associated with retardation - such as chromosomal
problems, metabolic problems, and Down syndrome. Environmental
factors can contribute to mental retardation - such as factors
that can affect the baby while it is in its mothers womb, disorders
and diseases that affect the baby while in the womb (rubella),
drugs (cocaine and alcohol) and malnutrition of the mother while
pregnant with the child. After birth, mental retardation can be
caused by toxins in the environment, physical trauma, and growing
up in a deprived environment.
b) Autism: Autism is recognizable in early
childhood, and involves profound disturbances with four basic
symptoms: social isolation, mental retardation, language problems,
and stereotyped ritualistic behaviours such as rocking back and
forth, or lining up ones toys over and over again. Many children
with autism do not like changes in their environment. Autism has
been seen to be associated with genetic and biochemical components.
Complications in pregnancy and birth have also been seen to associate
with autism.
Related Links
Abnormal Psychology
Emotional & Behavioural Disorders
Anxiety
Disorders
Dissociative
& Somatoform Disorders
Psychological
Stress & Physical Disorders
Mood
Disorders
Personality
Disorders
Substance
Use Disorders
Sexual
Dysfunction's, Paraphilias & Gender Identity Disorders
Psychotic and Neuropsychological Disorders
Schizophrenia
Acquired
Brain Disorders
Disorders
of Childhood & Adolescence
Antisocial
& Violent Behaviour
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