In order to help get the news out about “mental retardation”, a FAQ has been put together for the public knowledge. This information has been very helpful to give the public information about the activates and possibilities for “mental retardation.”
What is mental retardation?
The definition used most often in the United States is from the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR). According to AAMR, mental retardation is a disability that occurs before age 18. It is characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills. It is diagnosed through the use of standardized tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior. AAMR points out that both functioning and adaptive behavior are affected positively by individualized supports (AAMR, 2002).
What assumptions are essential to applying this definition?
1. Limitations in present functioning must be considered within the context of community enbiroments typical of individual’s age, peers and culture.
2. Valid assessment considers cultural and linguistic diversity as well as difference in communication, sensory, motor and behavioral factors.
3. Within an individual, limitations often coexist with strengths.
4. An important purpose of describing limitations is to develop a profile of needed supports.
5. With appropriate personalized supports over a sustained period, the life functioning of the person with mental retardation generally will improve (AAMR, 2002).
What is intelligence?
Intelligence refers to a general mental capability. It involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly, and learn from experience. Intelligence is represented by Intelligent Quotient (IW) scores obtained from standardized tests given by trained professionals. Mental retardation is generally thought to be present if an individual has an IQ test score of approximately 80 or below (AAMR, 2002).
What is adaptive behavior?
Adaptive behavior is the collection of conceptual, social and practical skills that have been learned by people in order to function in their everyday lives. Significant limitations in adaptive behavior impacts a person’s daily life and affect the ability to respond to a particular situation or to the environment. Limitations like the following can be determined by using standardized tests:
- Conceptual skills: receptive and expressive language, reading and writing, money concepts, sell-direction.
- Social Skills: interpersonal, responsibility, self-esteem, is not gullible or naïve, follows rules, obeys laws, avoid victimization.
- Practical skills: personal activities of daily living such as eating, dressing, mobility and toileting; instrumental activities of daily living such as preparing meals taking medication, using the telephone, managing money, using transportation and doing housekeeping activities; occupational skills; maintaining a safe environment.
A significant deficit in one area impacts individual functioning enough to constitute a general deficit in adaptive behavior (AAMR, 2002).
How do cognitive and intellectual disabilities such as mental retardation affect individuals?
The effects of these disabilities vary considerably among people who have them, just as the range of abilities varies considerable among all people. Children may take longer to learn to speak, walk and take care of their personal needs, such as dressing or eating. People amy take longer learning in school. As adults, many people will be able to lead independent lives in the community without paid supports. A small percentage will have serious, lifelong limitations in functioning. However, with early intervention, an appropriate education and supports as an adult, all can lead satisfying lives in the community.
In American society, being labeled with “mental retardation” can be stigmatizing. People sometimes feel excluded or belittled.
How can supports help?
Supports include the resources and individual strategies necessary to promote the development, education, interests, and well-being of a person. Supports enhance individual function. Supports can come from family, friends and community or from a service system. Job coaching is an example of a support provided by a service system. Supports can also be provided by a parent, sibling, friend, teacher, or any other person, such as a co-worker who provides a little extra support to someone on the job. Supports can be provided in many settings, and a “setting” or location by itself is not a support.
What is the definition of developmental disabilities (DD)?
According to the Developmental Disabilities Act (Pub. L. 106-402), the term developmental disability means a severe, chronic disability that:
1. Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of those impairments
2. Occurs before the individual reaches age 22
3. Is likely to continue indefinitely
4. Results in substantial functional limitations in three of more of the following areas of major life activity: (i) self case, (ii) receptive and expressive language, (iii) learning, (iv) mobility, (v) self-direction, (vi) capacity for independent living, and (vii) economic self-sufficiency and
5. Reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.
Before the age of ten, an infant or child with developmental delays may be considered developmentally disabled if his or her disabilities are likely to meet the above criteria without intervention. Many states use different definitions for Developmental Disabilities based on earlier versions of the federal law.
How does the DD definition compare with the AAMR definitions of mental retardation?
The major differences are in the age of onset, the severity of limitations, and the fact that the developmental disability definition does not refer to an IQ requirement. Many individuals with mental retardation will also meet the definition of developmental disability. However, it is estimated that at least half of individuals with mental retardation will not meet the functional limitation requirement in the DD definition. The DD definition requires substantial functional limitations in three or more areas of major life activity. The mental retardation definition requires significant limitations in one area of adaptive behavior.
What does The Arc mean by related developmental disabilities?
They are referring to individuals with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, development delay, autism and autism spectrum disorders, detal alcohol syndrome or any of hundreds of specific syndromes and neurological conditions that can results in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of a person with a cognitive or intellectual disability such as mental retardation.
How many people are affected by mental retardation?
Studies have shown that somewhere between 1% and 3% of Americans have mental retardation, depending on how they are counted. Based on IQ score alone, the percentages would be closer to 3%.
Prvalence studies may not identify all people with mental retardation. People including parents and professional throught the U.S. report that they are aware the label “mental retardation” can bring offense, and for this reason they avoid its use. Many school age children receive a diagnosis of learning disability, developmental delay, behavior disorder, or autism instead of mental retardation. Many adults who technically could be said to have “mental retardation” live independent, productive lives and avoid all labels. Their success and their lack of functional limitations may mean that they are not included in studies that count the numbers of adults who have cognitive, intellectual or related developmental disabilities.
Is it necessary to continue to use the term “mental retardation”?
The Arc’s mission statement does not use the term “mental retardation.” Instead it says that we work to include children and adults with cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities in every community. The term “mental retardation” was offensive to many people, so we changed our language. This does not change our commitment to the people they serve.
The term “mental retardation” offers special protection in key areas of federal and state policy, including death penalty prosecutions and SSI administrative processes. The term should not be thought of as guaranteeing individuals access to needed supports. Rather, access to supports under federal programs such as IDEA, SSA and Medicaid is usually based on a combination of functional assessments and state and local administrative plans. In most programs other than the term “mental retardation” to be eligible for some services in a few states, but in no case does having the label guarantee that supports will be available.
The Arc does not encourage states, officials, families, or individuals to use or promote the term “mental retardation.” The general public, including families, individuals, funders, administrators and public policy makers at local, state and federal levels, are not necessarily aware that the term “mental retardation” is offensive and outdated. We find it necessary to use the term from time to time, as in this Q & A, to help people understand our issues. We try to use newer, more acceptable language as much as possible. We hope one day everyone will be known by their name, not by a label.