Page 100 - DEDU506_SPECIAL_EDUCATION_ENGLISH

Special Education Kulwinder Pal, Lovely Professional University

Notes Unit 13: Mentally Retarted: Definition, Types,

Characteristics

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
13.1 Meaning and Definition of Mentally Retarded Children
13.2 Types of Mentally Retarted Children
13.3 Characteristics of Mental Retardation
13.4 Summary
13.5 Keywords
13.6 Review Questions
13.7 Further Readings

Objectives

The objectives of this unit can be summarized as below:
• to know about the meaning and definition of Mentally retarted children.
• to explain the types of mentally retarted children.
• to describe the characteristics of mental retardation.

Introduction
Mental retardation refers to sub average intellectual functioning which originates during the
developmental period. Mental retardation is due to both heredity as well as environmental factors.
Mental retardation is remediable. Mental retardation is to be diagnosed and remediation can be
given.
The children who cannot mentally function as well as most children we find in society. These children
are subnormal in intelligence and behaviour. This retardation is pervasive and is been in all societies
and cultures in varying proportions. Students will get comprehensive and clear idea about mentally
retarded children after reading the text presented here.

13.1 Meaning and Definition of Mentally Retarded Children

There are some important definitions of mental retardation.
“Mental deficiency is characterized by inadequate intellectual functioning in adaptive, associative
and learning power, yet sufficient with I.Q. fifty (50) to become socially adequate and occupationally
competent with the help of special educational facilities.”
The most comprehensive definition given by the American Association on Mental Retardation. The
definition a given is 1983 which is as follow :
“Mental Retardation refers to significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning, resulting in
or associated with concurrent impairments in adaptive behaviour, and mainfested during the
developmental period.”
The children with mental deficiency lack in mental development and possess less I.Q. their I.Q. is
less than 75 but more than 50.

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