What is Mental Retardation?
Mental Retardation refers to significant impairment in an individual's mental development which results
in learning difficulties and poor performance in certain daily living skills. An individual is
considered to have mental retardation based on the following three criteria:
Below average intellectual functioning (IQ level at or below 75) Significant limitations existing in
two or more adaptive skill areas (e.g. money concepts, personal safety, team work…)
Evidence of the condition before age eighteen. A diagnosis of mental retardation is made if all three
criteria are present.
How Is Mental Retardation Diagnosed?
A diagnosis of mental retardation is obtained through the collaboration between an educational
psychologist and a medical professional. Diagnosis is based on the results of:
Psycho-educational Assessment Adaptive Behaviour Evaluation Medical Evaluation
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 3% of any population will have mental
retardation, the majority of whom will be only mildly affected.
What are General Characteristics of Persons with Mental Retardation?
All children with mental retardation will: Process small amounts of information
Progress slowly in academic areas Children with mental retardation may have difficulties with:
Speech and language Physical movement or motor skills Focusing attention
Remembering information Applying learned skills to a new setting Learning to do things independently
Making friends and displaying appropriate social behaviour Managing their own behaviour
