There are a number of causes of retardation.
These include genetic and psychological factors, along with heredity. Genetic retardation, also known as Neanderthalism, refers to the loss of the ability to walk, talk, or walk on their own. Psychological retardation is characterized by mental impairment such as limited mental processes, inability to learn or retain information, and abnormal response to stimulus. All other causes of retardation include exposure to chemicals, viruses, or toxins that may affect brain function.
Researchers have identified a number of factors that increase the risk for retardation. Some examples include prenatal and perinatal infections, a family history of mental retardation, and being born prematurely. Many people who suffer from mental retardation also suffer from developmental delays.
These delays in development can lead to stunted growth, delayed speech development, and a lower level of IQ.
Children with retardation may display different symptoms, depending upon the specific cause. For example, children with physical retardation may have difficulty walking, while those with mental retardation will display an inability to follow directions or communicate verbally. The physical manifestations of retardation can be very difficult for an average person to diagnose. Because there are a wide variety of symptoms and indicators associated with mental retardation, it is important that health care providers diagnose these conditions and make the proper treatment choices.
Children diagnosed with mental retardation may present with many different problems. Some of the most common symptoms are: being unable to speak; not responding to verbal instruction; developing poor eye-hand coordination; having problems with gross motor abilities; and not being able to follow directions. Physical and developmental delays, including stunted growth, impaired hearing, and poor eye-hand coordination, can lead to many difficulties for children with this condition.
It is important to recognize that children diagnosed with mental retardation may be able to communicate at a normal level.
However, they may not know how to make friends, interact socially, or follow directions correctly. Because children with mental retardation have difficulty learning to perform routine tasks, they may not develop healthy relationships with other children. They often appear anxious, frustrated, and uncooperative. Even when they are able to communicate, they often fail to express their thoughts clearly.
Sometimes physical disabilities and mental retardation occur together. This occurs when the presence of one of these factors results in low IQ scores. Children with cerebral palsy, mental retardation caused by an abnormality in brain function, are likely to have a low IQ.
and physical limitations. Other children with developmental delays, such as cerebral palsy or birth defects, may also have a low IQ and limited physical abilities.
In some cases, different treatments can help children recover from their disabilities and live a more productive and successful life. Some children may require medical and therapeutic intervention in order to cope with the problems of both physical and mental retardation. Others may need to take special classes, participate in special education classes, or receive treatment for developmental delays.
While there are no known cures for mental retardation, treatments can help individuals cope with the symptoms and disabilities associated with this condition. These treatments can include improving their ability to communicate, socialize, and learn, and teach them how to lead a satisfying and rewarding life.
Some treatments for mental retardation involve educating the children about the different types of retardation and the differences between them. There are also medications that can help to reduce the effects of retardation, such as oleoresin and lofexidin.
Other treatments for mental retardation causes children to develop healthy skills that may be helpful in future development.
Some may require individual counseling or group activities, such as reading, music lessons, or therapy. There are also exercises that children with mental retardation can do in order to increase their muscle tone. and improve their muscle coordination. There are also classes which teach the children to read, write, count card games, and crossword puzzles, and basic math.
These types of therapy programs can help children to build on the basic abilities that they already have and to enhance those they have and may need in the future. Many organizations provide services that can help families and school districts to educate parents and school administrators about the different types of disabilities, disorders, and conditions that can affect children’s learning and development. Many of these agencies provide support for people who may also suffer from mental retardation and developmental delays.