It is characterized by significantly lower-than-average intellectual functioning (as determined by standard tests for intelligence quotient) and substantial limits in everyday life abilities (adaptive functioning)

Categories of Mental Retardation

Mild Mental Retardation

Mildly retarded people make up about 85% of the mentally retarded population. Their IQ ranges from 50 to 75, and they frequently reach sixth grade intellectual proficiency. With community and social support, they can become quite self-sufficient and in certain cases live freely.

Moderate Mental Retardation

Moderately retarded people comprise about 10% of the mentally retarded population. The IQ range for those who are somewhat retarded is 35 to 55. With minimal supervision, they can complete tasks related to job and self-care. They can live and work successfully in the community in a monitored setting, such a group home, and they usually pick up communication skills in childhood.

Severe Mental Retardation

Severe retardation affects roughly 3–4% of the mentally handicapped population. IQ values of 20 to 40 are indicative of severely impaired individuals. They might pick up some basic communication skills and even basic self-care techniques. A lot of people who are quite retarded can live in a group home.

Profound Mental Retardation

Profoundly retarded people make up just 1–2% of the mentally retarded population. People who are very retarded have IQs between 20 and 25. With the right assistance and instruction, they might be able to acquire the fundamentals of communication and self-care. Their concomitant neurological condition is often the reason of their impairment. Extremely retarded people require a lot of structure and monitoring.

Symptoms of Mental Retardation

• Failure to meet intellectual developmental markers

• Failure to meet developmental milestones such as sitting, crawling, walking, or talking, in a timely manner

• Persistently acting in a juvenile manner, as evidenced by speech patterns or a lack of comprehension of social norms or behavior repercussions

• Lack of curiosity and trouble addressing issues

• Reduced capacity for learning and logical thought

• Having trouble recalling stuff

• An unable to fulfill the requirements of schooling