subject: Disability Tax Credit Benefits For Mental Retardation [print this page] Disability Tax Credit Benefits For Mental Retardation
Mental retardation is a serious condition and individuals having issues with mental retardation can claim disability tax credit benefits from the government. It is a broad term encompassing a variety of mental conditions that hamper an individual's cognitive and information processing abilities and can be a huge setback to normal growth and development. Learning disabilities that are too mild are sometimes not classified as mental retardation and the term is usually reserved for more serious cases. Retardation can be either congenital or inflicted later by injury or accident. Earlier, mental condition was defined as having an IQ of below 70, but now we know better. IQ is not the only yardstick and a person with below par intelligence is no longer considered retarded. There are lots of other symptoms and signs as well and mere IQ does not suffice to classify the condition as mental retardation.
Mental retardation was once considered a form of intellectual disability, but now the terms are used interchangeably. The term intellectual disability is preferred because the word retard' is considered insensitive and offensive a slur. Congenital mental retardation can be detected early in children. They may be slow learners and their physical and mental development may be slower. They will take longer to learn how to walk and talk and may have difficulties in speech, memory, thinking and problem solving, adaptive behaviors, motor skills and social skills. They will have difficulties in doing things on their own and will require supervision seven for simple things like dressing and eating. But in some cases, the individuals may develop enough to support themselves and will even be employed and live independently.
Causes of mental retardation can be many genetics, birth complications, radioactive poisoning, effects of pollutants and toxins, lack of nutrition, physical or mental trauma, etc. Management of the condition may differ from case to case depending on the severity. An IQ of around forty is considered moderate mental retardation and anything below that is serious retardation and will require extensive care and attention and such individuals can't fend for themselves. A serious misconception about the mentally challenged is that they have some sort of hidden super-talent, know as savant skills. This is wrong and people need to be better informed.
Fortunately, the Canada Disability Corporation will help those suffering from mental retardation get disability tax benefits from the Canadian government. Lots of disadvantaged people are unaware that they are entitled to disability tax credit benefits owing to their unfortunate condition and hence miss out on the benefits. If you have a disability, the Canada Disability Corporation can help you.
