Republic of the Philippines Course Code: ProfEd 9
LUGAIT COLLEGE Course Title: Foundation of Special & Inclusive Education
UPPER TALACOGON, LUGAIT, Unit: 3 (lecture)
MISAMIS ORIENTAL Instructor: Janeth Usman Sarsuelo, Ph.D
1st Semester AY 2023-2024
Objectives:
a. Discuss the students with mental retardation;
b. Exlplain why the students with mental retardation is a complex
developmental disability;
DISCUSSION
Intellectual disability (ID), once called mental retardation, is characterized by
below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for day-to-
day living. People with intellectual disabilities can and do learn new skills, but they
learn them more slowly. There are varying degrees of intellectual disability, from mild
to profound. The term "mental retardation" is no longer used, as it's offensive and has
a negative tone.
What is intellectual disability?
Someone with intellectual disability has limitations in two areas. These areas are:
Intellectual functioning. Also known as IQ, this refers to a person’s ability to learn,
reason, make decisions, and solve problems.
Adaptive behaviors. These are skills necessary for day-to-day life, such as being able
to communicate effectively, interact with others, and take care of oneself. IQ
(intelligence quotient) is measured by an IQ test. The average IQ is 100, with the
majority of people scoring between 85 and 115. A person is considered intellectually
disabled if they have an IQ of less than 70 to 75.
To measure a child’s adaptive behaviors, a specialist will observe the child’s
skills and compare them to other children of the same age. Things that may be
observed include how well the child can feed or dress themselves; how well the child
is able to communicate with and understand others; and how the child interacts
with family, friends, and other children of the same age.
Intellectual disability is thought to affect about 1% of the population. Of those
affected, 85% have mild intellectual disability. This means they are just a little slower
than average to learn new information or skills. With the right support, most will be
able to live independently as adults.
What are the signs of intellectual disability in children?
There are many different signs of intellectual disability in children. Signs may appear
during infancy, or they may not be noticeable until a child reaches school age. It
often depends on the severity of the disability. Some of the most common signs of
intellectual disability are:
Rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking late
Talking late or having trouble talking
Slow to master things like potty training, dressing, and feeding themselves
Difficulty remembering things
Inability to connect actions with consequences
Behavior problems such as explosive tantrums
Difficulty with problem-solving or logical thinking
In children with severe or profound intellectual disabilities, there may be other health
problems as well. These problems may include seizures, mood disorders (anxiety,
autism, etc.), motor skills impairment, vision problems, or hearing problems.
What causes intellectual disability?
Anytime something interferes with normal brain development, intellectual disability
can result. However, a specific cause for intellectual disability can only be
pinpointed about a third of the time.
The most common causes of intellectual disability are:
Genetic conditions. These include things like Down syndrome and fragile X
syndrome.
Problems during pregnancy. Things that can interfere with
fetal brain development include alcohol or drug use, malnutrition, certain
infections, or preeclampsia.
Problems during childbirth. Intellectual disability may result if a baby is
deprived of oxygen during childbirth or is born extremely premature.
Illness or injury. Infections like meningitis, whooping cough, or the measles can
lead to intellectual disability. Severe head injury, near-drowning, extreme
malnutrition, infections in the brain, exposure to toxic substances such as lead,
and severe neglect or abuse can also cause it.
None of the above. In two-thirds of all children who have intellectual
disabilities, the cause is unknown.
Can intellectual disability be prevented?
Certain causes of intellectual disability are preventable. The most common of these
is fetal alcohol syndrome. Pregnant women shouldn’t drink alcohol. Getting proper
prenatal care, taking a prenatal vitamin, and getting vaccinated against certain
infectious diseases can also lower the risk that your child will be born with intellectual
disabilities. In families with a history of genetic disorders, genetic testing may be
recommended before conception.
Certain tests, such as ultrasound and amniocentesis, can also be performed during
pregnancy to look for problems associated with intellectual disability. Although these
tests may identify problems before birth, they cannot correct them.
Name : _______________________ Module No:6
Professor : _______________________ Date : _____________
ASSESSMENT
1. What is mental retardation?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.
2. What are the signs of mental retardation in the child?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
3. What causes mental retardation?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
4. Is mental retardation be prevented? How?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.
5. As a teacher, what can you do to help the students with mental retardation?