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what causes mental retardation in adults

by Maynard Cruickshank Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Genetics are the main known cause of intellectual disabilities in many adults. Other circumstances that lead to intellectual disabilities are: Stroke. Head/brain injury.

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What are 3 factors that may cause mental retardation?

What is the cause of mental retardation?

  • Various genetic disorders (e.g. Down’s Syndrome, phenylketonuria)
  • Certain maternal infections during pregnancy (e.g. rubella)
  • Mother who abuses substances such as alcohol during pregnancy
  • Certain psychosocial conditions (e.g. ...
  • Maternal exposure to various drugs (e.g. ...
  • Maternal exposure to environmental chemicals (discussed in detail later)

What environmental factors can lead to mental retardation?

The next highly contributing factor leading to mental retardation are those of environmental conditions, as well as exposure to toxins. Environment in a case like such is generally in reference to poverty and cultural deprivation.

What are some early signs of mental retardation?

You may also notice:

  • Changes in how they perform at school
  • Aggression or disobedience
  • Frequent nightmares
  • Lots of temper tantrums
  • They seem too sensitive to sights, sounds, smells, or touch
  • Odd or unusual behavior

What are the main symptoms of mental retardation?

Symptoms that can arise in patients with mental retardation, in the form of:

  • Difficulty speaking.
  • Slow in learning important things, like dressing and eating.
  • Difficulties in controlling emotions, such as irritability.
  • Inability to understand the consequences of actions taken.
  • Bad reasoning and difficult problem-solving.
  • Poor memory.

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What are 3 factors that may cause mental retardation?

Specifically, potential causes include, but are not restricted to, chromosomal deficits (Down syndrome), inherited disorders (Fragile X syndrome, hypothyroidism), errors of metabolism, brain injury or infection (insufficient oxygen during birth, meningitis), prematurity or low birth weight, fetal malnutrition, drug or ...

Can you develop mental retardation later life?

Mental retardation begins in childhood or adolescence before the age of 18. In most cases, it persists throughout adulthood. A diagnosis of mental retardation is made if an individual has an intellectual functioning level well below average and significant limitations in two or more adaptive skill areas.

What are the two factors responsible for mental retardation?

There are various known causes of mental retardation:Various genetic disorders like Down's Syndrome.Certain maternal infections (rubella)during pregnancy.Alcohol abuse during pregnancy.Certain psycho social.Drug abuse during pregnancy.Maternal exposure to environmental chemicals.

Does mental retardation get worse with age?

Like the general population after age 50, people with mental retardation, who do not have Down syndrome, experience a gradual decline in overall intellectual capacity, a decrease in their speed of recall, and slower general cognitive functioning.

What are the signs of mild retardation in adults?

Adult intellectual disabilities signs and symptomsSlow learning development.Failure to meet milestones in the development.Difficulty reading or speaking.Failing to understand social cues.Issues remembering or recalling things.Inability to perform routine tasks, such as dressing oneself or using a remote.More items...

How do you recognize mental retardation?

How Do I Know If My Child Has an Intellectual Disability?Sit up, crawl, or walk later than other children.Learn to talk later or have trouble speaking.Have trouble understanding social rules.Have trouble seeing the consequences of their actions.Have trouble solving problems.Have trouble thinking logically.

Does mental retardation come from the mother or father?

Males inheriting the full mutation from their mothers will develop symptoms while females inheriting the full mutation also have about 50% chance being affected. Affected males will not pass the mutant gene to his sons but all his daughters will be premutation carriers.

What are the common characteristics of person with mental retardation?

Some of the most common signs of intellectual disability are:Rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking late.Talking late or having trouble with talking.Slow to master things like potty training, dressing, and feeding themselves.Difficulty remembering things.Inability to connect actions with consequences.More items...•

Does retardation run in families?

Intellectual disability is most often caused by changes to the genome that take place in early fetal development and are not found in the parents' DNA. This is why the risk of recurrence in the next sibling of the family is very small, as indicated by a recent study.

How long do people with mental retardation live?

Kaplan-Meier survival plots showed a strong negative association between severity of intellectual disability and survival, with median life expectancies of 74.0, 67.6, and 58.6 years for people with mild, moderate, and severe lev- els of handicap.

Can MRI detect mental retardation?

MRI allows detection of multiple minor morphological anomalies. Most have classically been considered as normal variants but they may in fact be markers of cerebral dysgenesis and are currently the only anomaly detected in the work-up of patients with mental retardation.

Is there any treatment for mental retardation?

Mental retardation is a condition present from early childhood. The results of the treatment are not permanent because it is a genetic disorder. However, certain medications and therapies may help improve the condition.

How long do people with mental retardation live?

Kaplan-Meier survival plots showed a strong negative association between severity of intellectual disability and survival, with median life expectancies of 74.0, 67.6, and 58.6 years for people with mild, moderate, and severe lev- els of handicap.

What is mild mental retardation?

Definition. Mild mental retardation is defined as significantly subaverage intellectual ability, which ranges between 50–55 and 70, and concurrent delays in adaptive functioning that present prior to the age of 18.

What is mental retardation called now?

Intellectual disabilityIntellectual disability (ID), once called mental retardation, is characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for day-to-day living. People with intellectual disabilities can and do learn new skills, but they learn them more slowly.

Can you develop mental illness in your 20s?

While major depression can develop at any age, the average age at onset is the mid-20s. With bipolar disorder, which affects approximately 2.6% of Americans age 18 and older in a given year -- the average age at onset for a first manic episode is during the early 20s.

How does mental retardation affect the brain?

The brain of those who suffer from the condition of mental retardation grows and develops slower than their peers. The maturity in the behavior of these individuals arrives late and generally, they find it hard to fit in with other people. They develop milestone motor skills like walking and crawling at a time much late than the other children. Mental retardation or intellectual disability varies with its severity. It is classified into four categories based on the severity as given below.

What percentage of people are mentally retarded?

About 2-3% of the mentally retarded population is classified as profoundly retarded. Their IQ scores are under 20-25. They can develop functional vocabulary and work on with daily life activities with some assistance from their caregivers. They do, however, require some supervision from their caregivers at all times.

How can a person with mental retardation live a happy life?

For these goals to materialize they require some emotional support system and psychiatric aid to train them for daily living skills. However, things look grim who lie on the severe and profound mental retardation. They require caregivers for the rest of their lives and are mostly dependent on others. With this we have successfully completed the causes and stages of the mental retardation condition, in the next post, we will discuss the treatment and management of such individuals. Thank you for reading, we’ll see you next time.

What are the prenatal issues?

What prenatal issues imply is the issues that might develop during the pregnancy and might cause some damage to the developing fetus. If the mother is a heavy drinker or an alcoholic, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome develops. It is noticed in one of the 3,000 children in western nations. Even moderate alcohol intake can affect the fetus negatively. Drug abuse, cigarette smoking is also linked to mental retardation. Maternal infections in the womb, like toxoplasmosis, glandular disorder, CMV can also cause mental retardation. If the mother happens to have some Coronary Heart Disease, where her blood pressure remains perpetually high, the oxygen supply to the fetus may be diverted. This can also damage the brain of the fetus.

What is the IQ of mentally retarded people?

Almost 2/3rds of the mentally retarded patients lie in this category. They have their IQ scores in the range of 55-70. They can be educated till grades 6-7 th and can lead a fulfilling self-dependent life.

Why do children have ID?

Those children who face abuse, ignorance at their parent’s hands, and are not provided with enough mental and physical stimulation might develop issues like ID. Those who have abusive families or live in poverty, unhealthy lifestyle, face abuse, get improper medical care are at higher risk. Exposure to toxic metals and chemicals can also cause mental retardation.

Can a brain infection cause mental retardation?

Cough, chickenpox, measles, Hib disease may cause mental retardation if not treated on time and adequately. An infection of the brain’s layers (meningitis) or brain fever that causes swelling in the brain (Encephalitis) can cause mental retardation and irreversible brain damage. A head injury like a blunt blow with immense force can also affect the brain such that it may trigger mental retardation.

What are the factors that contribute to mental retardation?

Environmental Conditions & Exposure to Toxins. The next highly contributing factor leading to mental retardation are those of environmental conditions, as well as exposure to toxins. Environment in a case like such is generally in reference to poverty and cultural deprivation. Poverty is known to be a large cause of it, ...

What is the genetic cause of mental retardation?

Down syndrome is basically a condition where a person has 47 chromosomes, as opposed to the 46 chromosomes that a person should normally have. This extra chromosome interferes with the functioning of the brain, thus often leading to retardation.

What are the different types of mental retardation?

A mental condition which is categorized into four types, i.e., mild, moderate, severe and profound, the IQ of a person is the determining factor to find out where his mental abilities / capacities stand.

What percentage of the population suffers from mental retardation?

Read further to learn more on the same…. Studies and statistics say that 1 to 3 percent of the population suffers from mental retardation, otherwise referred to as Intellectual Disability. A medical condition that occurs and should be identified before adulthood, mental retardation is a condition wherein the mental senses have restrictions, ...

Why is poverty a problem?

Poverty is known to be a large cause of it, mainly because the impoverished conditions can lead to exposure to environmental conditions that are unsuitable for mental growth. This idea also refers to the lack of mental stimulus, thus stunting mental growth. Exposure to toxins is an equal culprit leading to it too.

Is mental retardation a medical problem?

Sometimes referred to as intellectual disability, mental retardation has always been one of biggest causes of concern in terms of medical concerns. A tough situation for most people to deal with, there is a constant research going on about its causes. Read further to learn more on the same...

Is famine a mental illness?

It is not so surprising though, given the rapid change in food trends and habits of most people these days. With a mounting consumption of fast food / junk food, nutritional deficiencies are on the rise like never before. Apart from the above mentioned, famine is also one of the largest causes of this mental condition.

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What is mental retardation?

Mental retardation is now called “intellectual disability” sometimes also called cognitive disabilities. According to American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ( https://aaidd.org/home ), intellectual disability is defined as “a disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills. This disability originates before the age of 18” 1). Intellectual disability is defined as a below-average intelligence (IQ) or mental ability coupled with lack of basic skills necessary for daily living, daily interaction (communication & social skills) and activities that is diagnosed before age 18. These limitations will cause a child to learn and develop more slowly than a typical child. Just like other health problems, an intellectual disability can be mild (smaller) or major (bigger). The bigger the disability, the more trouble someone will have learning and becoming an independent person. There are varying degrees of intellectual disability are identified according to their level of intelligence quotient (IQ). In the past, the term mental retardation was used to describe intellectual disability, but now mental retardation is no longer used because it hurts people’s feelings.

Why is mental retardation no longer used?

In the past, the term mental retardation was used to describe intellectual disability, but now mental retardation is no longer used because it hurts people’s feelings. An intellectual disability is not a disease. You can’t catch an intellectual disability from anyone.

What causes intellectual disability in children?

Still other causes of intellectual disability do not occur until a child is older; these might include serious head injury, stroke, or certain infections. There are many causes of intellectual disability, but doctors find a specific reason in only 25% of cases 10). Risk factors are related to the causes.

What age can you test for adaptive behavior?

Age of Onset – Intellectual disability is one of several developmental disabilities—that is, there is evidence of the disability during the developmental period, which in the US is operationalized as before the age of 18.

What percentage of children with special needs have intellectual disabilities?

In fact, 7% of the children who need special education have some form of intellectual disability 9). Intellectual disability can be caused by a problem that starts any time before a child turns 18 years old – even before birth. Intellectual disability can be caused by injury, disease, or a problem in the brain.

How many people have intellectual disabilities?

It is estimated that seven to eight million people in the United States have an intellectual disability, which means that 1 in 10 families are affected 7). More than 425,000 children (ages 3-21) have some level of intellectual disability and receive special education services in public school 8).

When does intellectual disability start?

Mental retardation (intellectual disability) begins in the first two decades of life. The age and characteristics of onset depend on the cause of the disability and the severity of the neuropsychiatric dysfunction. The identification of children with more severe mental retardation (what previously would have been termed severe and profound mental retardation) typically occurs early in life. These children often have dysmorphic features and associated medical conditions and higher rates of behavioral and psychiatric disturbances. Individuals with severe intellectual disability may show delayed motor, language, and social accomplishments within the first 2 years of life. Individuals with mild intellectual disability may not be recognized until early school age because that is when their difficulties with academic learning become apparent.

What is mental retardation?

Rather, it is a symptom associated with a large number of conditions that affect the development and functioning of the organism. Older etiological (causal) classifications have proved to be too crude for present-day use.

How much mental retardation is there in a baby?

The incidence of mental retardation in very small premature babies (under three pounds at birth) is about ten times as great as in normal births. Children afflicted with brain tumors or other neoplasms may develop severe brain damage and consequent mental defect.

What is a severe deficiency?

Moderate or severe deficiency may sometimes be due to single mutant genes or chromosomal abnormalities. These include many metabolic conditions, such as those mentioned in the next category, as well as mongolism (Down’s syndrome ), Kline- felter’s syndrome, and Turner’s syndrome. See these topics.

Why do parents of low intelligence tend to live in deprived areas?

The full explanation lies in the over-all lack of stimulation, opportunity, and motivation inextricably linked with poverty and neglect.

Can anoxia cause brain damage?

Anoxia may also occur as a result of surgery, heart attacks, or near drowning in the child’s early years. Accidental head injuries sometimes result in permanent brain damage, but not so frequently as many people assume. See head injury (chronic) (7) Ionizing radiation.

1. Chromosomal Aberrations

Chromosomal aberrations include Chromosomal disorders like Down’s Syndrome (most common) and Fragile X Syndrome; inborn errors of metabolism like Phenylketonuria and Tay-Sachs Disease.

3. After-birth causes of Mental Retardation

The after birth causes of Mental Retardation include severe metabolic disorders, infections like Tuberculosis, Bacterial Meningitis, Japanese Encephalitis and Whooping Cough; prolonged high fever, drowning, lead poisoning and severe malnutrition.

What is the I.Q. of a mentally retarded person?

Otherwise known as trainable retarded, moderately retarded people have the I.Q. range of 40 to 54 on the Wech sler scales. They have the mental age of a 5.7 to 8.2 year old child. About 6 per cent of the mentally retarded belong to this category.

How much of mentally retarded people need institutional care?

However, only one per cent of this category of mentally retarded requires institutional care. The rest of this group are able to complete their minimum education in special classes and they can somehow manage unskilled jobs. They require little supervision. So this group is considered as educable.

What is level 4 mental retardation?

Level # 4. Profound Mental Retardation: This category has I.Q. less than 25 i.e., mental age of a 3 year old child.

How much of the retarded population are institutionalized?

They represent more than three per cent of the retarded individuals. The majority of them are permanently institutionalized and require constant care and attention. Even they face problems while learning simple tasks. Since they are incapable of doing anything independently, they require complete care and attention.

Do people with profound retardation need hospitalization?

Thus, they require complete hospitalization, immense attention and personal care. They even cannot attend to their basic physical needs. They fail to learn even the simplest skills. In profound retardation majority deformities of the brain, head and body are often observed.

Is mental retardation a criterion?

But since the AAMD definition of mental retardation also includes adaptive behaviour, as a significant criterion for diagnosis, a person with an I.Q. of 60 if scores very high on an adaptive behaviour scale, he may not be considered so much mentally retarded as the I.Q. (60) alone would suggest.

When does mild retardation occur?

Mild retardation is generally detected in adulthood. The child usually graduates till 6 or 7 grade. With the help of vocational guidance they can live their adulthood and earn independently or under the supervision of someone.

What does it mean when an adult has profound retardation?

An adult with profound retardation is not able to understand what is instructed to him during work. Basic sense of urination and bowel movement is lost. As a result he has to wear adult diapers all the time. He is unable to understand or communicate and therefore requires constant monitoring.

How To Care For Mentally Challenged Adults?

The main aim of treatment is to help the person to achieve his maximum potential so that he may live his life independently or may require very minimal assistance. Care taker and family members of retarded person plays important role in caring mentally challenged individual.

What is the IQ of a mentally challenged person?

Mentally challenged adults are also known as mentally retarded adults. Their IQ (intelligent quotient) score is below 70. Mental retardation can be graded into four categories. It can be mild, moderate, severe and profound retardation. The symptoms vary accordingly. IQ of 80-130 is considered to be within normal range, with an average of 100.

Why is mental retardation an issue in famine prone areas?

Mental retardation is an issue in famine prone areas due to severe malnourishment.

What is the last category of mental retardation?

Physically they may include deformed facial expressions, flat nose, and moon face with large ears. An adult with profound retardation is not able to understand what is instructed to him during work.

What is a moderate IQ?

An adult with moderate IQ is able to do some basic calculation, and recognize few words or write few sentences. Severely mentally challenged adults are able to communicate with few words, but are not able to learn any skills to do their work independently.

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  • Intellectual disability can be caused by a problem that starts any time before a child turns 18 years old even before birth. Intellectual disability can be caused by injury, disease, or a problem in the brain. For many children, the cause of their intellectual disability is not known. Some of the most common known causes of intellectual disability...
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