mental retardation

mental retardation
a developmental disorder characterized by a subnormal ability to learn and a substantially low IQ.
[1900-15]

* * *

Subaverage intellectual ability that is present from birth or infancy and is manifested by abnormal development, learning difficulties, and problems in social adjustment.

A standardized intelligence test is a common method of identification. Individuals with IQ scores of 53–70 are usually classified as mildly retarded and are able to learn academic and pre-vocational skills with some special education. Those with scores of 36–52 are classified as moderately retarded and are able to learn functional academic skills and undertake semiskilled work under supervised conditions. Those in the severe (21–35) and profound (below 21) ranges require progressively more supervision or full-time custodial care. Mental retardation can be caused by genetic disorders (such as Down's syndrome), infectious diseases (such as meningitis), metabolic disorders, poisoning from lead, radiation, or other toxic agents, injuries to the head, and malnutrition.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • mental retardation — n. a condition, usually present from birth, characterized by intellectual functioning that is below average: it ranges in degree from borderline (IQ of 71 84) to mild (IQ of 50 55 to approximately 70) to moderate (IQ of 35 40 to 50 55) to severe… …   English World dictionary

  • Mental retardation — Classification and external resources ICD 10 F70 F …   Wikipedia

  • Mental retardation — A term used when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning and in skills such as communicating, taking care of him or herself, and social skills. These limitations will cause a child to learn and develop more slowly than a typical… …   Medical dictionary

  • mental retardation — noun lack of normal development of intellectual capacities • Syn: ↑retardation, ↑backwardness, ↑slowness, ↑subnormality • Derivationally related forms: ↑subnormal (for: ↑subnormality), ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • Mental Retardation —    (See also Autism.)    Mental retardation (MR) was once in the province of psychiatry, but even though the diagnosis continues to be included in DSM, the condition has now largely passed into the hands of pediatrics. MR is defined by three… …   Historical dictionary of Psychiatry

  • mental retardation — the state of those whose intellectual powers have failed to develop to such an extent that they are in need of care and protection and require special education. The handicap may be classified according to the intelligence quotient (IQ) as mild… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • Mental retardation and clasped thumbs — A syndrome with the following characteristic features: (1) Neurological: Mental retardation and aphasia (lack of speech); (2) Limbs: Clasped (adducted) thumbs, absent extensor pollicis longus and/or brevis muscles to the thumb, shuffling gait,… …   Medical dictionary

  • Mental retardation with optic atrophy, deafness & seizures — A disorder first reported in 1999 by Gustavson and colleagues as a newly recognized X linked mental retardation syndrome. In the family they studied there were 7 male children in 2 generations with the syndrome. The affected males were… …   Medical dictionary

  • mental retardation — noun Date: 1914 subaverage intellectual ability equivalent to or less than an IQ of 70 that is accompanied by significant deficits in abilities (as in communication or self care) necessary for independent daily functioning, is present from birth… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mental retardation — condition in which the intellect does not develop normally …   English contemporary dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”