Mental Retardation
Mental retardation is a special type of psychological disorder associated with the arrest or incomplete development of one's brain.
According to -
J.D. Page - Mental retardation is a condition of subnormal mental development present at birth or early childhood and characterized mainlyl by limited intelligence and social inadequacy.
British Mental Deficiency Act - Mental retardation is a condition of arrested or incomplete development of mind existing before the age of 18 years whether arising from inherent causes or induced by disease or injury.
Thus we can say that mentally retarded children are those who suffer from the subnormal or deficient growth and development of their brain affecting their intellectual capacities to the extent that they feel handicapped in their adaptation to the environment and thus require special care and provision for their welfare and development of their capacities.
Classification based on Intelligence tests -
Terman, using Stanford Binet scale, labelled individuals Into following categories -
Normal or Average - 91 to 100
Borderline and Dull - 76 to 90
Morons - 51 to 75
Imbeciles - 25 to 50
Idiots - Below 25
But a certain level of I.Q. scores does not by itself designate an individual a mental restarted. He must also be unable to adapt to the natural and social demands of the environment. Thus, the importance of adaptive behaviour to classify the levels of mental sub-normality has been realised.
Adaptive behaviour as a means of classification -
This criteria access the behaviour in two ways -
The degree to which the individual is able to function and maintain himself independently.
The degree to which he meets satisfactorily the culturally imposed demands of personal and social responsibility.
The consideration of deficiency in adaptive behaviour along with the very low scores on intelligence test resulted in the development of a new classification of sub-normality. The new terms used are Mild, Moderate, Severe and Profound mental retardation
Characteristics of Mental Retardation in Children -
Child is not able to create hypothesis.
Child cannot maintain personal and social interrelations.
Physical characters like walking, speaking, language, social skills etc. develops slowly.
Social behaviour is not very good.
Their activities are below average or abnormal.
Their learning capability is very low and they are slow learners.
Their level is below their age-group.
Children can be identified using their educational and physical development card.
Children can be identified using case study.
Causes of Mental Retardation -
Due to heredity factors (e-g- Down Syndrom etc.)
Accident or injury
Early birth of child
Excess contact to UV equipment
Infections in general life
Unhealthy environment
Lack of emotional support
Infection during birth
Problems faced by Mentally Retarded Students -
Intellectual problems
Educational problems due to imperfect education system.
Lack of skills like speaking, writing, explaining etc.
Lack of motivation or inspiration.
Lack of interpersonal interaction.
Problem of inclusion
Educational Provisions for Mentally Retarded Students -
Flexibility in curriculum
Personal education
Use of appropriate teaching aids
Provided with regular feedback
Incouraged to participate in creative activities
Provision of extra practice and revisiono
Involvement of parents into educational environment
Supportive environment of classroom
Development of skill of reading
Incouragement to peer-group teaching.
Vocational training
Educational environment at home
Role of Teacher in the Education of Mentally Retarded Children -
Ready to provide guidance to students.
Teach at speed comfortable to students.
Use of appropriate teaching aid.
Should be aware of personal and physical problems of students
Should know about the interest of students
Regularly motivate students
Show patience and empathy toward students
Flexibility in evaluation
Be in constant touch with parents
Give homework according to student's capabilities.
Organise activities according to the interest of students