by Beth Staiano

Created on: May 22, 2009

The term mental retardation means that a person has a lower than average IQ. It doesn't mean that the individual is dumb or stupid. It simply means that he or she needs more time to learn than the rest of the population, but it does not mean that the person with mental retardation cannot learn. They may need to work harder on social skills or how to care for themselves.

Early diagnosis of psychiatric disorders in children with mental retardation leads to early treatment. Medications are recommended as part of the treatment and management plan.

Many people with MR are able to get and keep a job, rent an apartment, keep their place neat and clean, do their own shopping, vote, go to school, manage money and take their own medications. Some couples have even been known to get married and have children. The goal is to get as many individuals to be as independent as possible.

There are others who will realistically never be able to live on their own. The main objective of everybody involved in their care is to get people with mental retardation to care for their own person and belongings. Many know their own rights and have no trouble letting their voices and concerns be heard.

Others have behavior problems, and need to work on controlling their temper. It's up to the psychologist to have a plan in place to keep everybody out of harm's way.

Mental Retardation occurs when the brain is injured or some type of problem prevents the brain from developing normally.

A pregnant mother may become ill which can cause a problem with the unborn child. The mother may also take a medication that unknowingly harms the baby's brain or sometimes the mother drinks or takes drugs while pregnant. Problems with genes can also cause mental retardation. There can also be problems during the birthing process. Sometimes the baby doesn't get enough oxygen to the brain which results in brain damage. Babies can also get very sick which also results in damage to the brain.

Years ago, families were encouraged to put a child with mental retardation in an institution. More often than not, this resulted caused irreversible harm. A very good example of this is the discovery of the horrific nightmares that occurred day after day, year after year in The Willowbrook State School. Back in the early 1970's Geraldo Rivera was given a tip by a Willowbrook employee about the horrors that were going on. After having a lot of difficulty getting into the institution, Geraldo and the camera crew were

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