Intellectual disability – Retardation

Intellectual Disability (Cognitive Disability; Developmental Disability; Mental Retardation)

Description of intellectual disability

Intellectual disability begins in childhood. People with mental disabilities have limited mental functioning and intelligence (IQ) below average, show reduced results in tests on the ability to communicate and perform daily tasks. The degree of disability can vary – easy, medium, severe or profound.

Some of the causes of mental retardation can be prevented with proper medical care. Children diagnosed with mental retardation are treated most successfully at an early age. If you suspect, that your child may have an intellectual disability, consult a doctor.

Causes of intellectual disability

It is found a few hundred causes of mental retardation, but many are still unknown. The most common of these are:

• Biomedical reasons:
  • Abnormal genes, inherited from parents;
  • Errors combination of chromosomes, such as Down's syndrome and X-chromosome defect;
  • Nutritional deficiencies;
  • Metabolic diseases, such as phenylketonuria (PKU), galactosemia and congenital hypothyroidism;
  • Malformations of the Brain, such as hydrocephalus and abnormal brain development;

• Infections during pregnancy:
  • HIV;
  • Toxoplasmosis;
  • Herpes simplex;
  • Rubella;
  • Syphilis;
  • CMV infection;
• Behavioral problems during pregnancy:
  • Smoking;
  • Use of drugs, the consumption of drugs or alcohol, that affect fetal development;
  • Malnutrition;
  • The impact of certain diseases or infections during pregnancy;
• Problems at birth:
  • Premature delivery or low birth weight;
  • The child does not get enough oxygen during birth;
  • Injury to baby during childbirth;
• Factors during childhood:
  • Nutritional deficiencies;
  • Disease or infection, that affect the brain – meningitis, encephalitis, enable vetryanaya, pertussis and kory;
  • Lead exposure, mercury and other toxins;
  • Head injury or drowning;
  • Social factors;
  • Lack of education.

Risk factors of intellectual disability

The child may have a higher risk of intellectual disability for any reason, above, or due to mental retardation other family members. If you suspect, that your child is in danger, tell your doctor.

Symptoms of intellectual disability

Symptoms appear before a child reaches age 18 years. Symptoms vary depending on the degree of mental retardation. These symptoms, except intellectual disability, They may be caused by other, less serious diseases.

Symptoms of intellectual disability include:

• The child learns and develops slowly, than other children of the same age;
• Difficulties in communicating with other people;
• Average on IQ tests below average;
• Learning problems at school;
• The inability to perform everyday things, eg, dress or use the bathroom without help;
• Hearing problems, sight, Movement or talking;
• Inability to think logically.

To describe the level of mental retardation often used the following categories:

The mild level of intellectual disability

• IQ 50-70;
• Development slower, than most children;
• No unusual physical signs;
• Can learn practical skills;
• Teaching reading and math skills up 3-6 class;
• Normal social contacts;
• Learning skills, necessary in daily life.

Moderate intellectual disability

• IQ 35-49;
• Significant developmental delay, particularly speech;
• May have unusual physical signs;
• You can teach the simple communication;
• You can teach the basic skills of health and safety;
• It can perform simple actions;
• It can be trained to perform controlled tasks;
• Can be sent alone in familiar places.

Heavy levels of intellectual disability

• IQ 20-34;
• Significant developmental delay; usually late in starting to walk;
• Little or no communication skills, sometimes there is some understanding of speech;
• You can learn to perform light repetitive actions;
• It can be trained to simple self-help skills;
• The need for social management and control.

Deep level of intellectual disability

• IQ <20;
• Significant delays in all areas of development;
• Congenital anomalies;
• It requires constant supervision;
• It requires constant care;
• The inability to self-service.

Diagnostics of intellectual disability

If you suspect, the child is not developing normally, tell your doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history of the child, and perform a physical examination. Standard tests, used for the diagnosis may include:

• Intelligence test – IQ tests measure a person's ability to think abstractly, to learn and to solve problems. The child may have an intellectual disability, If the test results IQ 70 or below;
• Adaptability behavior – study skills, required for life to function in everyday, including:
  • Reading and Writing;
  • Social skills, such as responsibility and self-esteem;
  • Practical skills – ability to eat, use the bathroom, and get dressed.

Children with intellectual disabilities are at greater risk of having other problems, such as hearing impairment, eye problems, convulsions, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or orthopedic disease. To check for other diseases may need additional tests.

Treatment of intellectual disability

Treatment is most helpful, if it begins as early as possible. Methods of treatment of intellectual disability include:

• Early intervention programs for infants and toddlers aged up to three years;
• Family counseling;
• Development Program, including emotional skills and hand-eye coordination;
• Special educational program;
• Life Skills Training, such as cooking, bathing;
• Work with a trainer;
• Social skills training;
• Teaching self-care.

Prevention of intellectual disabilities

To reduce the likelihood of a mentally retarded child:

• During pregnancy:
  • If you smoke, to throw;
  • You can not drink alcohol or use drugs;
  • Stick to a healthy diet, low in saturated fats and rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables;
  • Consume additional folic acid;
  • See your doctor regularly;
• After birth:
  • Follow newborn screening for the disease, that can cause intellectual disability;
  • At the time encourage your child;
  • You should visit the pediatrician;
  • Use child car seats and bicycle helmets;
  • Avoid contact of a child with lead-based paint;
  • Keep poisonous household substances out of reach of the baby;
  • Children and teens with a current or recent viral infection should not take aspirin, because of the risk of Reye's syndrome. Ask the doctor, What other medicines are safe for your child.