What is it?

Mental retardation is a developmental disability that can appear from birth through the age of 18. People
who are mentally retarded function at an intellectual level that is below average and have difficulties with
learning and daily living skills.

The three major known causes of mental retardation are Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and fragile X.

Who gets it?

Approximately 2.5 to 3% of the total population are mentally retarded. In most cases, it is a lifelong
condition. There is no connection between mental retardation and gender or race.

What causes it?

 About 5% of all cases can be linked to heredity

In these instances, the cause is a genetic defect, such as an inherited abnormal gene, gene mutation, or
chromosomal defect

 In very simple terms, genes are carried on thread-like structures called chromosomes, and determine our
individual characteristics, such as how we look

Mental retardation can also occur as a result of the mother's behaviors or illnesses during pregnancy

Behaviors that can affect the fetus' developing brain include poor nutrition, excessive alcohol
consumption, drug abuse, and cigarette smoking during pregnancy.

Mental retardation due to alcohol abuse is called fetal alcohol syndrome.

Pregnant women who have infections or illnesses such as rubella (German measles), cytomegalovirus,
toxoplasmosis, glandular disorders, high blood pressure, or blood poisoning, or who are exposed to
radiation during pregnancy, may have a mentally retarded child. 

 Difficulties in the birth process can also result in mental retardation. These include premature birth, head
injury during birth, or lack of oxygen.

Children can be born with normal intelligence but develop mental retardation because of childhood
illnesses or injuries. Illnesses that cause mental retardation if not properly treated include chickenpox,
measles, whooping cough, hyperthyroidism, or a bacterial infection called Hib disease. Meningitis and
encephalitis can cause swelling in the brain that causes brain damage and mental retardation.

Children who suffer a traumatic brain injury either accidentally or through abuse that includes violent
blows to or shaking of the head may suffer brain damage and mental retardation. 

What is the treatment?

Treatment of mental retardation involves developing an individualized plan based upon the child's skills
and needs. Early intervention programs are available in many areas to assess the needs of mentally
retarded children under the age of three and provide treatment. The federal government mandates that all
children between the ages of 3 and 21 who are mentally retarded receive testing and individualized
education and skills training, as appropriate, within the public school system at no charge to the child's
family. The severity of retardation determines how far the child can go within the school system. The most
important component of any treatment program is the love and support of the family. Most families with a
mentally retarded child benefit from family therapy and support groups that help the family cope with the
day-to-day demands of raising a child with special needs. Older mentally retarded children benefit from
occupational therapy to help them develop life skills that will aid them in functioning independently or
semi-independently as adults. While there are exceptions, most mentally retarded children will thrive in a
loving home environment, rather than a residential facility. All newborns should be screened for
phenylketonuria (PKU) and hyperthyroidism. Immediate treatment of these disorders can prevent
retardation.

The primary goal of treatment is to develop the person's potential to the fullest. Special education and training may
begin as early as infancy. This includes social skills to help the person function as normally as possible.

It is important for a specialist to evaluate the person for other affective disorders and treat those disorders. Behavioral
approaches are important for people with mental retardation.

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability, capacity, skill; or, in the case of the trait EI model, a self-
perceived ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups.
Different models have been proposed for the definition of EI and there is disagreement about how the
term should be used.[1] Despite these disagreements, which are often highly technical, the ability-EI and
trait-EI models (but not the mixed models) enjoy support in the literature and have successful applications
in various domains.

Gifted persons

Cognition 

**********• original, unusual ideas, creativity, connects seemingly unrelated ideas

******* superior abilities to reason, generalize or problem solve, high intelligence 
****** vivid and rich imagination 
****** extensive vocabulary, verbal ability, fascinated by words
***** learns new things rapidly
***** excellent long term memory
**** grasps mathematical/scientific concepts readily, advanced comprehension, insightful
**** avid reader. 
*** complex and deep thoughts, abstract thinker
** runs mind on multiple tracks at the same time, fast thinker 

Emotion- highly sensitive 

*******• excellent/unusual sense of humour
******• very perceptive, good sense of observation
*****• passionate, intense feelings
***• sensitive to small changes in environment 
*** introverted 
**• aware of things that others are not, perceive world differently 
Inadequate opportunities-poor education
Frequency pregnancies- at least one year to heal