Term Paper on "Mental Retardation in Adults"

Term Paper 5 pages (1735 words) Sources: 7

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Mental Retardation in Adults

Mental retardation can be defined as a disability that relates to how fast or how well a person is able to think or learn. There exists a variation in mathematical abilities and reading skills in mentally retarded individuals. Such individuals have also been observed to exhibit learning and thinking difficulties in theoretical terms and also in familiarizing themselves with what they hear in their daily life (Gotiesrnati, s.f.). However, it has to be remembered that mentally retarded individuals have needs, joys, and desires in the same manner that most of us do and they also wish to succeed in their undertakings (Yepsen, 1941).

The study of mental retardation falls under psychological testing, a field that became widely explored in the 20th century with elementary testing being traced back to at least 2200 B.C. In China where the Chinese officials were examined regularly as required by the emperor. Such testing underwent a lot of modification and refinement as centuries passed by until the introduction of written exams in the Han dynasty (Satter, 2001). Even though the relationship between the early testing methods and the current ones is superficial, their contribution cannot be underrated since it is from such basis that the current ones were developed. Many scientists contributed to the identification of mental retardation, especially those who dealt with intelligence testing, and even though it was a gradual process, one scientist named Alfred Binet made the most significant step towards this identification (Satter, 2001). Even though his studies that he did in the early 1990's concentrated on the intelligence of children of all ages, the methods that he used were applicable in determining the intelligence level of adults as well and have been mentioned as the inventor of the first modern intelligence test.

The development of such study methods have become so significant since it is through this placement decisions can be done as well as treatment planning. It is also through this study that diagnosis can be recommended after gathering clinical data of the individual, all these to the benefit of the client. In companies, such tests become beneficial in the process of hiring new staff and also when a company wants to develop the existing personnel since they reveal an individual's competencies and weaknesses as well as their preferences. This has also led to the current interest of psychologists and scientists in trying to find out the causes of mental retardation and the treatments applicable. There are researchers who are currently studying the relation between body composition and physical fitness in mentally retarded individuals and are trying to come up with the necessary components of the exercise programs to be used in training.

Mental retardation has been reported to affect about two to three percent of the general population with the commencement of the condition occurring in the developmental period which is between gestation and the age of eighteen years. This condition can be generally classified in five categories which include borderline, mild, moderate, severe, and profound (Donna, 2000). These categories are arrived at through the use of age-standardized tests of cognitive capability. Even though mental retardation may be experienced as an element of a disorder or syndrome, in most cases it occurs as an isolated finding. Given that standardized testing in especially young children is less extrapolative of potential cognitive outcomes, the expression "developmental delay" has been applied to distinguish the developmental condition of children below the age of three.

As pointed out by Donna (2000), statistics from previous research indicate that the most prevalent category of mental retardation is the mild retardation which contributes up to between seventy five to ninety percent of the cases and is characterized by an intelligence quotient of between 50 and 70. In this category the individuals function at one-half to two-thirds of the chronological age and indicate slowness in all areas and also showed unusual physical signs. It was also observed that these individuals are able to acquire practical skills and constructive reading and mathematics skills up to third and sixth grade levels. Additionally, they can kowtow socially and gain vocational skills for self-maintenance and are assimilated into the society. The other three categories contribute to about ten to twenty five percent of all cases of mental retardation. For cases of moderate retardation the individuals' functionality is at one-third to one-half the chronological age with a characteristic intelligence quotient of 35 to 49. In this category the persons have significant delays particularly in speech, and may show some abnormal physical signs. However, they can be taught easy communication and basic health and safety routines, they are able to take part in simple activities and self-care, carry out tasks in sheltered conditions, and are in a position to travel alone to well-known places.

Cases of severe retardation allow functioning of between one-fifth to one third of the chronological age with an intelligence quotient of between 20 and 34. The individuals display marked and apparent delays such as walking late and having diminutive or no communication skills even though may understand speech and show response. It is however possible to teach them daily routines and cyclical activities and simple self-care. These kinds of persons require direction and supervision so as to control their moves and activities as some may be dangerous to them. The most worrying category is the profound retardation in which the individuals function at below one-fifth of the chronological age and have an intelligence quotient of less than 20. The persons have noticeable delays in all areas and presence of congenital abnormalities. There is need for close supervision and attendant care is necessary. Even though they can respond to regular physical activity and social stimulation, they cannot manage self-care (Donna, 2000).

In order for any physician to consider diagnosis of this condition in any child then he or she must have high index of suspicion with some important signs being dysmorphic features, delayed speech, general inability to do things alone, and general or extreme hypotonia. The first significant step in the diagnosis is obtaining the history of the patient and the family since preceding obstetric and gynecologic history may expose fetal loss or infertility. After a thorough review of this history then a comprehensive physical examination can commence with an evaluation of growth curves since birth and checking the presence of any minor abnormalities. The existence of at least three minor abnormalities in newborns has a relationship with ninety percent frequency of simultaneous major abnormalities, suggestive of close relation with morphogenesis in utero; therefore, minor abnormalities may provide hints to developmental problems of possible prenatal origin.

Generally, in order to diagnose mental retardation in adults, and assessment of age-appropriate adaptive habits should be done using developmental screening methods for which failure to attain 'development milestones' indicates mental retardation. The common signs that when observed may suggest presence of mental retardation include unusual Denver development screening test, adaptive behavior score which is below average, advancement well below that of peers, and having an intelligence quotient rating of below 70 when a standardized IQ test is used (Neil, 2009).

There are a number of disorders linked to mental retardation most of which play a laid-back role. The American Association on Mental Retardation subdivides the disorders that may be linked with mental retardation into three basic areas: prenatal causes, perinatal causes, and postnatal causes. More often than not, doctors do find specific cause in about twenty-five percent of the cases only even though there are many risk factors that have been pointed to cause this condition, these causes are put under the following categories: infections that may be present at birth or occur after birth, chromosomal abnormalities, environmental conditions, genetic abnormalities and inherited metabolic disorders, metabolic conditions, nutritional factors, toxic conditions, and trauma before and after birth among other unexplained factors (Neil, 2009). Given that the unexplained causes are so many, there are several theories and hypotheses that have come up, however very few have can be verified and strongly supported.

Even though complete treatment of this condition may not be possible in most cases, prevention and control can be exercised. These can be done by habitual periodic health screening of the adults with mental retardation, additionally, healthy lifestyles and evading high risk habits should be encouraged (Christopher, 2006). Christopher (2006) further suggests that use of psychotropic medications should be avoided for fresh challenging habits until and effort has been made to nullify potential environmental and medical causes.

In order to prevent this condition, prenatal screening for genetic imperfections and genetic counseling for families at threat for familiar inherited disorders should be done to reduce the risk of hereditary mental retardation. Furthermore, nutrition programs and early intervention to children, environmental programs and increased public awareness of the risks of drug use during pregnancy can assist in bringing down incidences of retardation (Neil, 2009).

Conclusion

It is important to note that there is life after childhood and a number of mentally retarded persons have the capability of maintaining good employment… READ MORE

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