Page 101 - DEDU506_SPECIAL_EDUCATION_ENGLISH

Unit 13: Mentally Retarted: Definition, Types, Characteristics

Classification of Mental Retardation Notes
Children with mental retardation show no physical problem but may be slow in instructions. Their
performance in class is affected by their delayed development. The observable behaviours that will
help the teacher in identifying such children are given in the checklist given below.
(1) Displays poor academic achievements constantly. (2) Relies too much on presentation of concrete
objects. (3) Has short attention span ? (4) Displays short term memory. (5) Has a poor self-image ? (6)
Lacks self confidence. (7) Has restricted communication ? (8) Seeks repetition and practices. (9) Does
not take any initiative in group activities ? (10) Often inattentive and distracted.
Self Assessment
1. Fill in the blanks:
(i) The children with .............. lack in mental development and possess less I.Q. is less than 75
but more than 50.
(ii) The psychological classification of mental retardation on the level of ................ .
(iii) The various classifications provide an understanding of the level at which the mentally retarted
persons functions with respect to his ..................., appropriate .............. and degree of the
independence.

13.2 Types of Mentally Retarted Children

There are different methods of classification of mental retardation. The medical classification is based
on the cause, the psychological classification on the level of intelligence, and the education classification
on the current level of intelligence, and the educational classification on the current level of functioning
of the mentally retarded person/child. The proportion of children who fall under the various categories
of mental retardation are depicted below.
(1) Mild Retarded (89%) (2) Moderate Retarded (67%)
(3) Severe Retarded (35%) (4) Profound Retarded (15%)
The classification of mentally retarded children has been given in the following table with reference
to Medical, Educational and Psychological.
Clinical Classification of MR Children
There are six categories of clinical type of MR children :
(1) Simple types (2) Mongolism (Down’s Syndrome)
(3) Microcephaly (4) Hydrocephaly
(5) Travmatic Amentia (6) Cretinism (Thyroid Deficiency)
Classification of Mentally Retarded Children
Psychological
Medical Educational Wechsler Standard Binet
1. Infections and Intoxication 1. Educable-IQ 60–85 1. Mild IQ 55–69 IQ-52-67
2. Trauma or physical agent 2. Trainable-IQ 30–59 2. Moderate IQ 40-54 IQ-36-51
3. Metabolism or Nutrition 3. Custodial-IQ 3. Severe IQ 25-39 IQ–20–35
Below 30
4. Grossbrain disease 4. Profound IQ IQ-20-35
(Post natal) Below 25
5. Unknown prenatal influence
6. Chromosomal anomaly
7. Gestational disorder

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 95