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Mental retardation is a term used when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning, and skills. Some of those skills include communicating with others, taking care of them selves, and social skills.

There are four levels of mental retardation: *Mild- level of adulthood and responsibility is comparable to that of an eight to an eleven year old. Because they can't see the consequences for there actions they need supervision for almost everything they do.


 * Moderate- level of adulthood and responsibililty is comparable to that of an four to an seven year old. most are able to be educated. They appear clumsy.


 * Severe-  ref ered to as "dependent retarded" They can develop limited level of personal hygeine, and self-help skills.


 * Profound- refered to as "life support" Meaning that they need help in most of their everyday activities.

Causes : -Problems during Pregnancy -Genetic Conditions -Health Problems

Diagnosis: T o diagnose someone mentally retarded you look at one of two things. Look at the ability of a person's brain to learn, think, solve problems, and make sense of the world. The second way is to see is a person has the skills to live independently.

Signs : - If a kid sits up, crawls, and/or walks later than others their age - Talk later, and have trouble speaking - Its hard to remember things - Have trouble understanding social rules - Can't understand how to pay for things - Can't see consequences for their actions

Treatment : - Develop a persons potential to the fullest

Tests : -Screening tests can be taken to determine the assessment of age-apropriate adaptive behavior Screening tests are necessary for people to live independently, and so they can function safely and appropriatly in their daily life.

[|www.medterms.com/script/main/asp?articlekey=20174]