Mental retardation is a brain development disorder characterized by IQ scores below the average of normal people and poor ability to perform everyday skills. Mental retardation is also known as intellectual disability.
The occurrence of disturbances in the condition or brain development causes a person to suffer from mental retardation. It takes time and involvement of many parties to help mentally retarded patients adapt to their conditions.
Reason Mental retardation
Mental retardation is caused by a brain condition disorder that can occur due to several factors, including:
- An injury, for example from a traffic accident or while playing sports.
- Genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome and hypothyroidism.
- Have a disease that affects brain function, such as an infection in the brain (eg meningitis) or a brain tumor.
- Disorders during pregnancy, such as nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy, infections, drug use, or preeclampsia.
- Disorders during delivery, such as lack of oxygen or being born prematurely.
In certain cases, the cause of mental retardation is not known with certainty.
Symptoms of Mental Retardation
Symptoms of mental retardation in each patient can be different, depending on the severity of the condition experienced. Symptoms that can arise in people with mental retardation, in the form of:
- Difficulty speaking.
- Slow to learn important things, such as dressing and eating.
- Difficulty controlling emotions, such as irritability.
- Inability to understand the consequences of actions taken.
- Poor reasoning and difficult to solve a problem.
- Poor memory.
The patient's IQ score can also indicate the severity of the condition. The following is the severity of the condition based on IQ scores:
- LightIQ scores around 50-69.
- Currently IQ scores around 35-49.
- Heavy IQ scores around 20-34.
- Very heavy IQ scores below 20.
Patients classified as very severe may show other symptoms, such as seizures, visual disturbances, impaired movement control, or hearing loss. If symptoms of mental retardation appear, see a doctor immediately for treatment.
Mental retardation diagnosis
In diagnosing, the doctor will conduct a thorough examination of the patient's condition. The examination was carried out by interviewing the patient and their parents, making direct observations, and running a series of intellectual tests and the patient's ability to adapt to the environment.
Someone who suffers from mental retardation will show 2 main signs, namely poor adaptability and IQ scores below average. However, the doctor can also continue the examination to detect the causative factor.
Some of the tests used to carry out this follow-up examination include:
- Blood test.
- Urine test.
- Scans, such as CT scans and MRIs.
- Examination of brain electrical activity or electroencephalography (EEG).
Mental Retardation Treatment
Pregnant women can do an ultrasound test or take a sample of amniotic fluid (amniocentesis), to detect the presence or absence of brain growth abnormalities or genetic abnormalities in the fetus. Although this condition can be detected, there is no treatment method that can correct brain growth abnormalities in the fetus.
Handling that can be done in mentally retarded patients is to provide special therapy so that they can adapt and develop with their conditions. The usual therapy is individualized family service plan (IFSP) and individualized education program (IEP). In this therapy, the doctor or therapist will train the patient to control the symptoms experienced, such as difficulty speaking, as well as provide guidance to the family to assist the patient in daily activities.
In addition, parents can also help the patient's development by making several efforts, such as:
- Allowing the patient to try new things, and telling him to do things independently.
- Observe the patient's progress at school, and help him re-learn what has been learned at school.
- Involve patients in group activities or activities that require cooperation and interaction, such as scouts.
- Find out more about mental retardation, either through consulting a doctor or other parents who have the same problem.
Prevention of Mental Retardation
The cause of mental retardation is a brain development disorder that appears when a person is still in the womb. Pregnant women can minimize the risk of this condition to the fetus, by:
- Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption.
- Perform routine checks.
- Take vitamins as needed.
- Undergo vaccinations.
For mental retardation caused by accidental head injuries, you can prevent it by using appropriate personal protective equipment when carrying out activities, such as when working in the field, playing sports, or driving.