Mentally Challenged Children

MENTALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN
The Genetics Home Reference defines a mental handicap as "subnormal

intellectual functioning which originates during the developmental period" or a
"subaverage intellectual ability that is equivalent to or less than an IQ of 70."
In layman's terms, mental handicap refers to people with less-than-average

intelligence and often behavioral or social problems.
Rating of mental deficiency
This depends on the I.Q. of the child. There are many psychological tests
available to measure the intelligence or mental functioning of the child. So when
the mental age is divided by the chronological age and multiplied by a hundred,
what you get is the Intelligence Quotient or the I.Q.
An I.Q. above 140 is the sign of a genius. An average to very intelligent child
would score between 100-120 and a dull child would score between 80 - 90.
Classification of the mentally subnormal
The average IQ for someone without a mental handicap is 100.
CLASS I.Q. LEVELS

Borderline cases 70 – 84
Mild cases(educable) 55 – 69
Moderate cases(trainable) 40 – 54
Severely deficient 25 – 39
Highly severe below 25
Causes and effects of mental deficiency
- One of the strongest factors is hereditary.

- Brain damage during pregnancy
- Malnutrition during pregnancy
- Infection during pregnancy
- An excessive intake of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy
- RH incompatibility.
- Chromosomal abnormalities before birth such as deletions, a gene not located in
the normal spot or an error in the number of chromosomes
- Lead or mercury exposure
Whatever the cause, if the handicap is very severe, the entire development of
the child gets affected - physical, social and emotional along with mental. Some
of these children cannot perform the simplest of tasks that we all seem to take
for granted. Simple things like walking straight, eating or toilet training. A great
amount of patience and tolerance is required to supervise and handle such a
child.
Identification
A mental handicap may be hard to identify early in a child, because how it is
presented may depend on the cause. Children with a mental handicap may continue
infantile behavior longer than is considered normal. There may be developmental
delays in the growing process and a failure to meet intellectual development
milestones. Some children with a mental handicap do not exhibit the curiosity
typical of their age group. Once a mentally handicapped child reaches school age,
he normally exhibits poor performance on problem-solving, short-term memory
and learning tasks. Learning ability, as well as daily living skills, communication
skills and social skills, are evaluated to diagnose a mental handicap.
Prevalence
Statistics vary, but research in the U.S. and U.K. indicates that mental
handicaps affect between 1 and 3 percent of the population. Of this percentage,
doctors normally find a cause for the handicap in only about 25 percent of the
cases. A study of school-age children in special education classes found that 1 in
10 had a mental handicap. People with mental handicaps may also have cerebral
palsy and motor skill problems, seizure disorders, visual or hearing difficulties or
behavioral problems.
Considerations
Each person with a mental handicap may exhibit the symptoms and
complications differently. Behavioral issues include acting out, being overly
impulsive, harming oneself or being unable to interact with others appropriately.
Having a family member with a profound mental handicap affects the whole
family, as life-long care is necessary and feelings of isolation may increase
Managing a mentally challenged child
Caring for a mentally challenged child can be difficult and challenging to

say the least. The average I.Q. of an average child is believed to be 100 while
children who are mentally challenged have an I.Q. that falls somewhere between
the range of 70 to 84.
The earlier the problem is detected the better it is for you and your child.
Sometimes parents try to hide the fact until it becomes apparent to all, and by then
it is too late to get timely help. There are plenty of child guidance centres and
special schools around to provide the perfect environment to aid in the
development of the child. But if these facilities are not utilized, a mentally
deficient child will definitely develop severe social and emotional problems as
well.
Parents should try to accept the fact that their child is mentally challenged
and help him or her grow to the full potential that he or she is capable of. Some
people try for a miraculous cure and expend a lot of time and energy in search of a
divine elixir. Even though such an attitude is understandable, it does not show any
results. That time will be better spent in admitting your child to a special school or
sheltered institution where he can get professional help.
Such schools teach the child how to survive and progress in our world.
Special skills are taught to them to help them make good use of their time and
lives. Each child is given a task that suits his or her mental growth. Sensory
training and perceptual knowledge is stressed on and children are taught utilitarian
tasks that will help the child to be more independent. This is normally taught
through drill and repetition over a period of years.
Besides schools, parents and family members at home also must provide a
secure environment for the development of the abilities and interests of the
mentally retarded. Parents should not feel awkward and should help their child to
socialise with family members, relatives and friends. Subnormal children need
more love and affection than the normal child does or they tend to get frustrated.
They might not be able to express their needs. So it is up to you to anticipate what
they want and give them all the love and strength that they require to help them
develop to their full potential.
Special schools for learning
The earlier in a child’s life that the mental problem is detected the better it is
for everyone concerned. There are many special schools as well as child guidance
centers that provide the necessary environment for the child to grow and learn in.
These environments not only help the child when it comes to education but also in
developing social skills. It also gives them the opportunity to spend time and get to
become friends with other mentally challenged children. If a parent shuns these
special learning facilities studies have shown that this can lead to greater problems
for the mentally challenged child in terms of emotional as well as social
difficulties.
Coping for parents
It is important for parents to come to terms with the situation as soon as they
can. Some people need counselling to help them do so. Instead of searching for a
way to “cure” the child, accept the child for who he is and find ways to help him
realize his full potential to the best of his abilities. Professional help is a necessity
for a child who is mentally challenged in any way, whether the problem is mild,
moderate, or severe.
Skills that are taught and learned
Special schools teach mentally challenged children the skills they need to
grow and learn in the world. The tasks the child is given are geared towards his
mental growth in as far as he is able to learn, expand and grow. For example,
sensory training and perceptual knowledge are taught to mentally challenged
children and these are stressed to a great extent and practices many times over.
Children are also given tasks in schools that help them to become as independent
as they possibly can be. The training allows mentally challenged children a sense
of accomplishment and helps to build their sense of self into a positive one.
Parents and other family members as well as friends should do their part at
home to teach the mentally challenged child and to stress love, understanding and
the close ties of family. Children with mental challenges need all of the love,
encouragement, and support that they can possibly get.

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MENTALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN

The Genetics Home Reference defines a mental handicap as "subnormal

In layman's terms, mental handicap refers to people with less-than-average

Rating of mental deficiency

Classification of the mentally subnormal

The average IQ for someone without a mental handicap is 100.

CLASS I.Q. LEVELS

Causes and effects of mental deficiency

- One of the strongest factors is hereditary.

Caring for a mentally challenged child can be difficult and challenging to

Coping for parents

Skills that are taught and learned

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