Mental Retardation - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

1 / 12
About This Presentation
Title:

Mental Retardation

Description:

placing of objects in the mouth beyond the age at which this is acceptable ... The severity of Mental Retardation is determined by IQ testing, and classified ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:629
Avg rating:3.0/5.0
Slides: 13
Provided by: pdu9
Category:

less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: Mental Retardation


1
Mental Retardation
  • BCE 548
  • Meeting 4
  • February 10, 2003

2
Mental Retardation
  • Difficulties in learning, thinking, and adaptive
    behavior diagnosed in childhood or adolescence
    according to
  • IQ Testing
  • Deficits in Adaptive Behavior

3
Causes of Mental Retardation
  • For many/most persons, no known cause.
  • Known agents/causes
  • Sociocultural Isolation
  • Lack of stimulation
  • Infections (Rubella, venereal disease, Strep
    Infection).
  • Anoxia (also can cause epilepsy or cerebral
    palsy)
  • Rh Factor Incompatability
  • Downs Syndrome (also called Trisomy 21)
  • Fragile X Syndrome
  • Prader-Willi Syndrome
  • Phenylketonuria (PKU)
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

4
Downs Syndrome
  • The presence of three, rather than two, 21st
    chromosomes (hence, Trisomy 21). Normally,
    humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes.
  • The extra chromosome causes numerous physical
    abnormalities
  • Flattening of the face and nose, slanting of the
    eyes
  • Tongue is thick and fissured.
  • Skin is dry and the hair thin and fine
  • Muscle tone and coordination is poor
  • Growth is stunted.
  • Lack of a third knuckle in the little fingers
  • Cardiovascular problems, including heart murmurs
    and circulatory deficiency often cause
    serious complications which lead to shortening of
    the life span.
  • Infertility
  • Individuals with down syndrome are usually
    moderately mentally retarded, but this can vary.

5
Fragile X Syndrome
  • A genetic defect causing weakness in an arm of
    the X chromosome, causing
  • developmental delays
  • placing of objects in the mouth beyond the age at
    which this is acceptable
  • behavior problems, often causing diagnosis of
    autism (problems with change, frequent temper
    tantrums, desire for aloneness
  • characteristic appearance of high forehead and
    elongated face.

6
Prader-Willi Syndrome
  • Another genetic disorder causing numerous
    problems of behavior and development, such as
  • Temper tantrums
  • Compulsive behavior
  • Some of the behavior can be rather bizarre
    (self-mutilation compulsive desire to overeat).

7
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
  • A disorder of the metabolism of phenylalanine, a
    substance present in milk and also in products
    containing aspertame (NutraSweet).
  • Phenylalanine is not metabolized by the body it
    accumulates in the blood and reaches toxic
    levels, damaging various body structures,
    including the brain.
  • PKU is largely preventable, and testing for PKU
  • in newborns is required in a number of states.

8
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
  • The result of alcohol consumption by the mother
    during pregnancy and the effect upon the
    developing fetus.
  • Individuals with FAS often have mental
    retardation and display certain characteristic
    facial abnormalities.

9
Mental Retardation and IQ Testing
  • The severity of Mental Retardation is determined
    by IQ testing, and classified as mild
    (educable) (85 of persons with MR), moderate
    (trainable) (10), severe (3), or profound
    (2).
  • Weschler Intelligence
  • Stanford-Binet Scale for Children DSM
  • MILD 68-52 69-55 50-70
  • MODERATE 51-36 54-40 35-50

  • SEVERE 35-20 39-25
    20-35
  • PROFOUND 0-19 0-24
    0-20
  • Normal Intelligence 70-130
  • Borderline Intellectual Functioning 71-84

10
Adaptive Behavior
  • To be diagnosed as mentally retarded, a child
    must also have deficits in at least two of the
    following adaptive behavior areas, according to
    age and community/cultural standard
  • Communication - Self-Direction
  • Self Care - Functional Academic Skills
  • Home Living - Work
  • Social/Interpersonal - Leisure
  • Skills - Health
  • Use of Community - Safety
  • Resources
  • Some tests used to measure adaptive behavior
    include the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale,
    American Association of Mental Retardation
    Adaptive Behavior Scale

11
Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Many persons with mild MR are able to adapt as
    adults, live typical lives, and lose their
    labels.
  • Level of MR will determine capacity for
    vocational activity, independent living.
  • Mild MR may be able to work competitively
    without supports, live independently.
  • Moderate MR may be able to work without supports
    but usually require some supports (such as a job
    coach). May be most functional in a group home
    environment.
  • Severe/Profound will definitely require
    significant planning and supports if able to work
    competitively at all. May be able to live in
    group home, but often require institutional care.

12
Vocational Assessment
  • Valid assessment is key to determining goals for
    independent living and vocational success.
  • May be difficulttraditional assessment
    instruments may not provide good information
    about the abilities of persons with mental
    retardation.
  • Alternatives include situational assessment
    (observation of individual in work environment),
    learning curve assessment (determining the rate
    and potential for learning through multiple
    trials of a task), and learning style assessment.
  • Philosophy should be edumetric (determining ways
    to attain desired outcomes given the individuals
    assets) rather than psychometric (measuring an
    individuals assets to determine potential).
Write a Comment
User Comments (0)
About PowerShow.com