EXCEPTIONAL DEVELOPMENT (MENTAL RETARDATION AND BEHAVIORAL DISABILITIES)

Mental retardation which is now termed “developmental disability” refers to significantly sub-average general
intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behaviour which implies social maturity of the
development of self-help skills and skills of independent behaviour and manifested during the developmental period or
the time between birth and the eighteenth birthday.

Intellectual functioning. Also known as IQ, this refers to the ability to learn, reason, make decisions, and solve problems.
Adaptive behaviours. These are skills necessary for day-to-day life such as being able to communicate effectively,
interact with others, and take care of oneself.
IQ(Intelligence Quotient) measured by an IQ test. Average is 100. A person is considered intellectually disabled if he or
she has an IQ of less than 70 to 75.

A. CAUSES OF MENTAL RETARDATION

* Cultural familial
-This is due to complex interaction between environment and hereditary factors
*Organic Causes
-These results from chromosomal defects like chromosome which may produce Mongolism or Down syndrome,
genetic defects which result metabolic disturbances, incompatibility of blood chemistry between parents and child, and
glandular disorders which result in cretinism.

B. CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN with MR

* Physical
-Usually smaller in stature than the so-called normal and weighs slightly less, has higher incidence of physical
defects, shows poor motor coordination.
* Intellectual Learning
-poor memory particularly short term memory, limited ability to understand cause and effect, faulty concept
formation, inaccurate perception, impoverished language, and difficulty in making generalization.
* Social/ emotional
-Manifest perseveration, behaviour is on either extreme such as overly aggressive or withdrawn, hyperkinetic,
and sociable and exhibits adaptive behaviour to the demands of the environment bur has difficulty in delaying
gratification.

The sign and symptoms of mental disorders:

• Displaying stress
• Sudden mood changes
• Suicidal thoughts
• Depressed feeling
• Irritability or anger
• Little energy or motivation

Low IQ scores and limitations in adaptive skills are the hallmarks of mental retardation.
Remember, these symptoms are not unique to one mental illness; rather, they are common symptoms among several
different types of mental illness.

Children with MR as classified below can be developed to a certain degree that their disability may allow.
1. MILDLY RETARDED- unable to profit sufficiently from the program of regular elementary school:
(0-5yrs.)- the child has normal motor developments but slight delay in speech development. Such children are often not
distinguishable from children with normal intelligence.
(6-20yrs.)- child can be trained to acquire academic skills up to 6th grade by late teens and can also be trained to lead a
disciplined life by adhering to simple concepts like respect for others and ownership of property.
(21-above)- The person is capable of achieving social and vocational skills adequate for self - support under supervision
for decision making and handling finances.
2. MODERATELY RETARDED- not educable in the field of academic achievements, ultimate social adjustment
independently in the community or independent occupational adjustment at the adult level but have potentialities for
learning.
(0-5 yrs.)-the child develops motor skills like a normal child of 3. Speech development although slow but the child learns
to communicate and profits from training for skills needed for self-help.
(6-20 yrs)-child develops capabilities like a normal child of 8yrs. The child can be educated up to grade 2 in academic
subjects and master manual vocational skills. The child can travel alone in familiar places and also learns social skills.
(21-above)- Persons are capable of self-maintenance in unskilled and semi-skilled work under supervision for
management of finances and relationships.

3. SEVERELY RETARDED- those who can talk and learn to communicate and can be trained in elemental health
habits and may contribute partially to self- maintenance under complete supervision; and can develop self-protection
skills to a minimal useful level in controlled environment.
(0-5yrs.)-there is minimum development in motor skills like holding/sitting/walking/speech. The child is unable to profit
from training and still needs care like a toddler of 18 mos.
(6-20 yrs.)-child profits from systematic habit training for self-care and learns to communicate personal needs and is
capable of understanding and executing simple commands. The child in general has capabilities of a 6 yrs old normal
child.
(21-above)- the person with training is capable of developing skills for self-maintenance under supervision. The person is
capable of learning skills needed for self-protection and care of physical needs and hygiene.

4. PROFOUNDLY RETARDED- those who, because of very severe mental retardation are unable to be trained in
total self-care, socialization, or economic usefulness and who need continued help in taking care of their personal needs
throughout life.
(0-5yrs.)- child needs nursing care like an infant less than 1 year.
(6-20yrs.)- there is minimum motor development. The child still needs care for physical needs and maintenance of
hygiene.
(21-above)-still needs nursing care although with intense training with patience and love the person can achieve minimal
skill for self-care.

• Intellectually challenged children are grouped in 4 categories according to their I,Q..

-PROFOUNDLY RETARDED I.Q. <20.
-SEVERELY RETARDED I.Q. BETWEEN 20 TO 35.
-MODERATELY RETARDED I.Q. BETWEEN 35 TO 55
-MILDY RETARDED I.Q. BETWEEN 55 TO 70

BEHAVIORAL DISABILITIES
- emotional disturbance or behaviour disorder
–also referred as psychosocial problems (problem that relates to one’s psychological development in interaction with a
the social environment)
–these encompass inabilities of individuals to function adequately or effectively in psychological context
SED (seriously emotionally disturbed)
-children who suffer from severe or critical long-term emotional disturbance
–also includes those who are schizophrenic or autistic
– occurs three times in all males than in females
SCHIZOPHRENIA- refers to a psychotic disorder characterized by: distorted thinking, abnormal perceptions, bizarre
behaviour and emotions
AUTISM- a psychotic condition characterized by: bizarre behaviour, extreme social isolation, delayed development
SOCIAL MALADJUSTMENT- a term that attempts to identify youths who have been socialized in a deviant peer culture

2 BROAD DIMENSIONS OF BEHAVIORAL DISABILITIES

1. EXTERNAL DIMENSION- is characterized by acting-out, disruptive, non-compliant or aggressive behaviour patterns –
a child who internalizes their problems is said to be suffering from depression and experience loss of interest in
activities, work and life
2. INTERNAL DIMENSION- includes socially withdrawn and depressed behaviour patterns –words and phrases that are
commonly used by children who externalize are extrovert and acts-out. This also includes ADHD and Conduct Disorder.
These are children who act out their emotions instead of hiding them in, exhibiting behaviours such as, bullying, fighting,
etc.

CHARACTERISTICS
A. Conduct disorder
1. Aggression- engages in frequent fights, bullies, threatens and uses inappropriate language
2. Noncompliance- refuses to do work, states “make me” when given a request, ignores request
3. Disruptive Behaviours- interrupts classes, talks out inappropriately, laughs, shots, sings, whistles and is ironic
4. Inattention- does not attend to task at hand, does not respond to teacher’s direction, frequently out of seat
5. Hyperactivity- appears to be in “perpetual motion”, is out of seat, fidgets, guesses at answers
6. Attention-seeking- shouts, shows-off, runs away, tattles, whines

B. PERSONALIITY DISORDER (ANXIETY-WITHDRAWAL)

1. Anxiety- shy, withdrawn fidgety, asks frequently about performance, has physical symptoms (perspiration, nausea)
in stressful situations
2. Inferiority- fails to attempt new activities
3. Withdrawal- isolates self, is preoccupied, daydreams, fails to show interest

C. INADEQUACY-IMMATURITY
1. Passive- acts irresponsibly, “easily led”, has difficulty in making decisions
2. Social immaturity- exhibits “baby” behaviours, cries in stressful situations, chooses to play with younger students

D. SOCIALIZED AGGRESSION (SUBCULTURAL DELIQUENCY)

1. Socialized Aggression- engages in gang behaviour, engage in cooperative stealing, truancy