Explain the levels of mental retardation and their characteristics

a) Mild- They are capable of learning numerous skills and living independent or semi-independent adult lives. The mentally retarded generally learn more slowly than non-retarded people and may exhibit social immaturity.

Characteristics
- Mental age range: 5-8 years old.
- IQ ranges: 50-70, affects 85 percent of population.
- Language: functional with ability to effectively use a communication device
- Self-help: good.
- Social skills: capable of meaningful, yet immature relationships with peers and the opposite sex.
- Academic skills: can achieve up to sixth-grade level by late teens, although average achievement is at third-grade level.
- Vocational status: generally adequate for minimum self-support; some achieve semi- skilled or helper status; others are capable of unskilled employment on a competitive to marginally competitive basis
- Adult status: most typically marry and become parents; can maintain an independent adjustment but may need assistance during periods of stress

b) Moderate- They are generally able to learn to care for themselves with special training, and in adulthood can often work with supervision.

Characteristics:
- Mental age range: 1-5 years old
- IQ ranges: 35-50
- Language: functional although intelligibility may be greatly impaired; limited ability to use a communication device
- Self-help: partial to nearly complete
- Social skills: diminished ability to form relationships; may distinguish own needs and wants but disregard the needs of others
- Academic skills: unlikely to progress beyond second-grade level
- Vocational status: capable of some degree of productive unskilled or semiskilled labor performed under close supervision, or in sheltered workshops with ability to travel alone in familiar surroundings
- Adult status: seldom marry, but capable of self-management required for independent living; adapts well to life in a community living environment as well as supervised group homes

c) Severe- They noticeably experience delays in speech and coordination skills. They frequently have physical handicaps in addition to mental retardation, and some need constant care, while others can learn to perform routine tasks on their own e.g autism and cerebral palsy.

Characteristics:
- Mental age range: 2 months 1 year
- IQ ranges: 20-35
- Language: slight communicative speech, often speaking in phrases
- Self-help: partial with assistance
- Social skills: capable of forming bonds with peers and adults
- Academic skills: can become familiar with alphabet, counting, learn sight reading of common survival words
- Vocational status: can benefit from activity center programs
- Adult status: dependent requiring constant need for supervision; can often live with family or in a community group home in community.

d) Profound retardation- They frequently have physical handicaps in addition to mental retardation, and some need constant care, while others can learn to perform routine tasks on their own.

Characteristics:
- IQ ranges: below 20, affects 1-2percent of population
- Mental age: 0-6 months
- Language: no commutative speech, except to say a few words often not appropriate for situation; unable to understand simple phrases
- Self-help: little to partial assistance
- Social skills: often enjoys individualized attention
- Academic skills: none
- Vocational status: benefits from activity center programs with basic stimulation activities
- Adult status: needs constant supervision; often resides in ICF-DD facility or community group home

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francis1897 answered the question on August 24, 2022 at 09:37