Mental Retardation

Mental retardation is not a disease, nor should it be confused with mental illness.  Children with mental retardation become adults; they do not remain "eternal children".  They do learn, but slowly and with difficulty.  Probably the greatest number of children with mental retardation have chromosome abnormalities.  Other biological factors include (but are not limited to):

Asphyxia (lack of oxygen)

Blood incompatibilities between the mother and fetus

Maternal infections such as rubella or herpes

Certain drugs have also been linked to problems in fetal development.  Many authorities agree that people with mental retardation develop in the same way as people without mental retardation, but at a slower rate.  Others suggest that persons with mental retardation have difficulties in particular areas of basic thinking and learning such as attention, perception or memory.  Depending on the extent of the impairment -- mild, moderate, severe, or profound -- individuals with mental retardation will develop differently in academic, social and vocational skills.

(This information was provided by the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY))

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