The Woodcock-Johnson Scales of Independent Behavior and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) are frequently used to test these skills.
Family therapy can help relatives of the mentally retarded develop coping skills.
The communication skills depend on the amount of retardation and education that the person receives.
Federal legislation entitles mentally retarded children to free testing and appropriate, individualized education and skills training within the school system from ages 3-21.
Interviews with parents or other caregivers are used to assess the child's daily living, muscle control, communication, and social skills.
Approximately 85% of the mentally retarded population is in the mildly retarded category. Their IQ score ranges from 50-70, and they can often acquire academic skills up to about the sixth-grade level. They can become fairly self-sufficient
For infants, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development may be used to assess motor, language, and problem-solving skills.
In general, mentally retarded children reach developmental milestones such as walking and talking much later than the general population.
Some people have savant syndrome. They may have exceptional skills in art, music, or computation. They have had damage to the left anterior temporal lobe. About half of them have autism.
An average IQ score is 100. A score under 70 is considered mental retardation. Borderline mental retardation is generally around 70-85 - high enough not to be considered mentally retarded, but just barely. In general, the characteristics are similar to mild mental retardation (50-70 IQ) but milder. The person may have difficulty learning in school. In adulthood, most can hold down a job that isn't highly intellectual, and they'll probably be able to live independently. Borderline mental retardation is more significant when combined with other disabilities such as ADHD or learning disabilities. Since their overall skills are somewhat lower, any additional condition will send specific areas into the impaired range. So for example if a person with an IQ of 78 had a 20 point discrepancy in verbal versus performance IQ (which is often seen in specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia or nonverbal learning disability), the lower score will be in the mild mental retardation range. In addition, they have a harder time learning compensatory strategies, such as memorizing words if you struggle with decoding, that other people with similar disabilities can use.
Federal legislation entitles mentally retarded children to free testing and appropriate, individualized education and skills training within the school system from ages three to 21
Teachers evaluate pupils so they know what level of skills they are on.
Shy of a traumatic head injury, you do not becomementally challenged. You either are or are not.The use of drugs can aid in the process. It is not a desired affect.