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Special Education

Notes Environmental influence
The various classifications provide an understanding of the level at which the mentally retarded
person functions with respect to his education, appropriate behaviour and the degree of the
independence. The characteristics of mentally retarded persons very depending upon the level of
retardation, country, age, culture etc. The terms currently used to described the various degrees of
mental retardation are mild, moderate, severe and profound.

Generally 60 to 70 percent of mental defective display no distinguishing physical
characteristics.
13.3 Characteristics of Mental Retardation

Some authorities have described the characteristics according to the severity of retardation some
other experts have mentioned the characteristics not according to the degree of disability but in
terms of there educatability. Thus the characteristics of mentally retarded children are classified in
two categories - (1) General characteristics and (3) Specified characteristics.
(1) General Characteristics of Mentally Retarded Children: The following are some important
features of mentally retarded cluldren :
1. Mentally retarded child has low intelligence but his development is not adequate
according his mental level.
2. Mentally retarded children are of two type (a) Educable mentally retarded and (b)
Trainable mentally I.Q. (55-50) trainable retarded. I.Q. (50-75) educable,
3. Mentally retarded child differs with regard to learning emotions, adjustment and physical
development from normal children.
4. Mentally retarded children has poor adjustment due to several reasons-lack of motivation,
feeling of insecurity.
5. Identification is difficult of such has been. They lack in abstract understand quickly, (v)
Inability to decide, (vi) Lack of concentration, (vii) Short temper, (viii) Inability to
remember, (ix) Lack of coordination, and (x) Delay in development.

Mental Retarded children have many characteristics are common with the normal children.

(2) Specific Characteristics of Mentally Retarded Children: Some features of MR children are
classified into three categories:
(a) Educable Mentally Retarded (EMR)
(b) Trainable Mentally Retarded (TMAR) and
(c) Custodial Mentally Retarded (CMR).
(a) Educable Mentally Retarded (EMR) : The EMR children have IQ 50 to 75. They have normal
appearance and remain unidentified until late teens. They function at an intellectual level
generally limited to learning the most basic school subjects, skills such as reading, spelling,
writing and numerical calculation. They are expected to learn up to the seventh standard.
They can communicate effectively in everyday conversation, enjoy friendship and group
social activities. They can travel with ease in their home town or locality. During adulthood,
they are able to live independently, marry or have children. They can hold are able to live
independently, marry or have children. They can hold skilled or semi-skilled jobs. But at
times they may need assistance in doing their job. They can be educated in regular classrooms.

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