MENTAL RETARDATION FACT SHEET

". . . significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period, that adversely affects a child's educational performance." [34 Code of Federal Regulations §300.7(c)(6)]

CHARACTERISTICS

• DEFICIENCY IN INTELLECTUAL SKILLS:   By definition, mental retardation means that mental skills are sub-average, therefore intellectual skills are a primary characteristic.   Significant deficits in reasoning and problem-solving.
• DEFICITS IN ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR (life skills)
• LOWER ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
• DIMINISHED MOTIVATION AND/OR SELF-ESTEEM:   often can lead to learned helplessness
• SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DIFFICULTIES:   some, not all, individuals with mental retardation may have delayed language and speech problems.
• PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:   generally, individuals with mental retardation may have delayed physical development or associated physical impairments.   May have difficulty with gross and/or fine motor skills.
• DIFFICULTY ATTENDING
• DEFICITS IN SHORT-TERM MEMORY
• DIFFICULTY GENERALIZING:   linked to difficulty in abstract thinking
• LIMITATIONS IN ADAPTIVE SKILL AREAS:   especially with activities that require deliberation and decision making.

WHAT TEACHERS SHOULD KNOW

You can make an enormous difference in a student’s life.   Find out what the student’s strengths and interests are and emphasize them.   Create opportunities for success.

EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES

• Be as concrete as possible; demonstrate what you mean in addition to your verbal instructions.   Provide students with hands-on materials and the opportunity to try things out, but keep the materials age-appropriate.
• Break tasks into small steps (task-analysis)
• Give student immediate feedback.
• Work with parents and school personnel involved with the student.
• Teach concepts within the actual context and in many possible situations so concepts are more easily generalized.
• Allow extra time for the student for information processing and retrieval.
• Teach appropriate ways of getting help and/or attention.

HOW TO WORK WITH PARENTS OF A STUDENT WITH MENTAL RETARDATION

• Always be professional, accurate, honest, and sensitive.
• Write clearly and concisely so parents will understand.   Avoid communicating with educational jargon.
• Keep cultural differences in mind.
• Recognize that schools and homes have many of the same goals.
• Respect caregivers and communicate that respect.

TIPS FOR ENSURING THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT (LRE)

The Least Restrictive Environment is where the individual can maximally function.   Students have the right to full inclusion, but they also have the right to equal protection.   All disabilities are not the same and therefore must be managed differently.

• Curriculum can be adapted and modified to fit the needs of a student with mental retardation.   Provide students with services based on their individual needs rather than the expectations and limitations that go along with the student’s “label.”
• Create a sense of community within the classroom and school environments so general education students will be better able to understand the individual needs of everyone within their classroom and their school.
• Educate the student with mental retardation about his/her disability so he/she will be able to advocate for him/herself.   Teach self-determination.
• Collaborate with other professionals to help meet the needs of the student.
• Support general education teachers and combine resources.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON THE WEB

http://specialed.about.com/ -- facts and links to other websites dealing with mental retardation

http://www.aamr.org/   -- American Association of Mental Retardation

http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs8txt.htm -- mental retardation fact sheet

http://www.vtnea.org/ti-3.htm   -- tips for communicating with parents

http://www.bamaed.ua.edu/spe300/mental_retardation.html -- general information about MR

http://specialed.about.com/cs/teacherstrategies/a/argument.htm   -- parental conflict resolution

http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/futureteachers/communicating.htm   -- communicating

Index

Knowledge

Last Updated On: February 23, 2005