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Description:
Mental retardation refers to substantial
limitations in present functioning and is characterized by the
following:
1. below average intellectual functioning
(IQ of 70 or below).
2. limitations in two or more of the
following areas:
- self care
- self direction
- home living
- functional academics
- leisure
- communication
- health and safety
- social skills
- community use
- work
3. manifestation before age 18.
From: "Those of Us
DisLabeled: A Guide
to Awareness and Understanding", University of Kentucky Human Development
Institute, Cooperative Extension Service)
Adaptations/Accommodations:
For Mild to Moderate Mental
Retardation:
- Do not use complex sentences with a
person who is mentally slow.
- Concentrate on concrete ideas and skills.
An individual with mental retardation often has trouble with abstract
concepts.
- Make instructions clear and concise.
Break directions down into small steps or tasks.
- Demonstrate whenever possible. Showing is
often more effective than telling.
- Be patient, persistent, and
consistent.
- Provide warmth and acceptance. Promote a
sense of security through a smile, words of praise, or physical
expressions of affection.
- Show respect. Do not be condescending.
Talk to the individual as a person; talk to an adult as an adult, not as
a child.
- Don't have low expectations for a person
with mental retardation. Given training and support, a person with
retardation can be gainfully employed and totally integrated into
society as a valuable, contributing member.
For Severe to Profound Mental
Retardation:
- Use the accommodations listed
above.
- Do not react with pity, anxiety, or a
variety of other negative emotions when first meeting a person with a
severe handicap.
- Use age-appropriate conversation.
- Use age-appropriate activities.
- Include these individuals in community
and family activities. Even an individual with profound retardation
profits from events that provide integration/interaction with persons
who are not handicapped. In fact, this is the way he/she learns best.
Being exposed to every phase of community life allows him/her to learn
the behaviors necessary for achieving maximum participation in
society.
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