What is usually the cause of profound mental retardation?

Answer 1

There are many different possible causes of mental retardation, otherwise referred to as impaired mental development, impaired intellectual development, impaired social development, impaired socio-cognitive development, and impaired cognitive faculty development. There are many different conditions which have also been associated with it, such as Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and Down's syndrome, which are held under the umbrella of Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

In this, the most widely believed theoretical explanation is a neurological disorder or genetic abnormality which has caused impaired brain development. There are however other explanations such as birth defects, foetal alcohol syndrome and severe brain trauma.

There also many others such as the Theory of Mind which suggests a lacking the factors which are required for typical development of Mind, these are known as the Triad of Impairment which suggests that there are three factors: Communication, Flexibility and Imagination, and Social Interaction. If one is missing or does not develop or function correctly, theory of Mind cannot function adequately.

One other theory is the Theory of Executive Functioning, which suggest that the parts of the brain which are responsible of executive functioning are not capable of operating typically (either through lack of development or complete development but inability to correctly function). The area of the brain responsible for executive functioning (or higher functioning) is the Pre-frontal Cortex at the front of the brain above the eyes.

There are many other theories which look upon impaired mental development differently, such as Weak Central Coherence, which suggests that what is considered to be impairment is simply a different view of the world. Where most of the population has a holistic view which sees separate components as a part of the bigger picture, many people with impaired mental development may simply view the world in terms of its separate components with no connection to each other.

There are many other theories which have not been listed here of which are created, verified and disproved daily. The ultimate answer to this question is that no one fully knows as yet the cause of impaired mental development.
The leading cause of mental retardation is nutrition in the womb. Mental retardation can also be hereditary in some cases.

Answer 2

Could be a number of things.... 1. Enviromental Toxins 2. In Utero Drug and Alcohol Exposure 3. Malnutrition 4. Brain Damage (Head Injury) 5. Poverty 6. In Utero Exposure to Diabetes 7. etc.etc.etc

Answer 3

Ignored or neglected infants who are not provided with the mental and physical stimulation required for normal development may suffer irreversible learning impairment. Children who live in poverty and suffer from malnutrition, unhealthy living conditions

Answer 4

It is normally congenital or can be caused by a birth injury or impact. It is possible for someone to accidentally become retarded by a fight or criminal action, this is somewhat similar to amnesia.

Answer 5

A few are fetal alcohol syndrome, complications from drug use, and improper nutrition.

Answer 6

typically brain damage from any of a large number of causes: infections when a baby, head trauma, birth defects, oxygen shortage during birth, brain cyst or tumor, etc.

Answer 7

Birth defects that cause physical deformities of the head, brain, and central nervous system frequently cause mental retardation.

Answer 8

Their retardation is often caused by an accompanying neurological disorder.