Information on the Mentally Handicapped

The term mentally handicapped refers to a person with slowed or delayed mental development. A small amount of the population is affected by mental handicaps of some degree. The term for people with this problem used to be “mentally retarded” and was considered synonymous with incompetence and an inability to learn. However, mentally handicapped people can learn and can lead productive lives.

Causes

There are many possible causes of mental handicaps. Infections, chromosomal abnormalities, environmental, genetic, metabolic, nutritional, or toxic factors before or after birth are all possible causes. Severe head injury can cause a mental handicap as well. It is never easy to determine the cause of handicap in one specific person, however. Usually only about 25 percent of cases have a determined cause.

Prevalence

Around 2 percent of children are affected by some degree of a mental handicap. Two percent of people have an IQ below 70. Sometimes an IQ of 75-70 is considered a mild mental handicap, in which case the prevalence could be as high as 2.3 percent.

Classification

IQ scores of children are assessed when determining a classification of mental handicap. IQ stands for “intelligence quotient.” IQ tests are used to measure a person’s intelligence. Any IQ score under 70 is considered mentally handicapped. There are four categories of mental handicaps: mild, moderate, severe and profound. Mild mental handicap is an IQ that falls between 69 and 55; moderate is 55-40; severe is between 39 and 25, profound is an IQ under 25.

Cognitive Development

The cognitive development of mentally handicapped children will be slower than that of other children. They learn processes and facts a little slower than their peers. This, however, does not mean that mentally handicapped children can not learn. They can be taught a variety of skills with the right amount of patience and practice. They will never learn as much as their peers but they can learn a lot despite their handicap.

Mentally Handicapped Adults

Throughout the education of a mentally handicapped person, he is learning skills that will prepare him for a life in the community. Mentally handicapped adults become equipped with skills to do a wide range of vocational jobs through education. They often live in group homes to ensure that their needs are met.