subject: Classified symptoms of mental retardation [print this page] Classified symptoms of mental retardationClassified symptoms of mental retardation
INDIVIDUALS WITH MILD MENTAL RETARDATION
(Formerly referred to as educable):
Are likely to need only intermittent to limited support;
Typically do not "look" different from their non-disabled peers;
Often have only mild or moderate developmental delays, except in academics, which is often the major area of deficit;
Therefore, they are often not until they enter the school setting where their cognitive disability is most apparent;
In Minnesota, students with mild MR spend most of the school day in the regular classroom;
They typically attain 3rd to-6th-grade academic achievement level by the time they finish high school;
As adults, many, though not all, with mild MR will be able to obtain independent employment;
Many will marry, have children, and blend rather indistinguishably into the community; for those who achieve total independence, the label of mental retardation is no longer appropriate.
INDIVIDUALS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE MENTAL RETARDATION
(Formerly called "trainable"):
Will probably need limited to extensive supports;
They are more likely have a recognizable syndrome (such as Down Syndrome);
Therefore, may "look" different than their non-disabled peers;
Their development is often significantly delayed;
They are typically identified as infants or toddlers;
Most begin receiving special education during the preschool years;
They may be include in the regular classroom part of the school day (particularly here inMinnesota);
But often spend much of the school day in a separate classroom where they learn adaptive living skills;
As adults, most ofthe individuals with moderate to severeMR will not achieve total independence;
Rather, they are likely to continue to need limited to extensive support such as that provided in group homes or semi-independent living situations (SILs); some may continue to live with their parents;
Some individuals with moderate to severeMR may be able to succeed in modified competitive employment situations;
However, many will work in supported, non-competitive setting such as sheltered workshops.
INDIVIDUALS WITH PROFOUND MENTAL RETARDATION:
Will generally need services at the pervasive level, typically throughout their life;
They are likely to have multiple disabilities, particularly in the areas of mobility and communication;
Therefore, many use wheelchairs and alternate forms of communication;
Their communication deficits make it difficult to accurately assess their intellectual functioning;
In educational setting, they may be placed along with students with moderate to severeMR or in their own classroom;
Some adults with this level of retardation remain in institutional settings, but most currently live in group homes.
