Nature of Mental Retardation (US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1968)

Summary

This educational video explores the nature, causes, and vocational rehabilitation of individuals with intellectual disabilities. It contrasts normal child development with the challenges faced by those with varying degrees of retardation, highlighting eight categories of causes, from prenatal damage to hereditary and unknown factors. The video emphasizes five adaptive behavior levels, detailing the potential for independence and work performance at each level. Through real-life examples and vocational counseling guidance, it demonstrates how specialized training, supervision, and support enable many individuals to live semi-independent lives and contribute meaningfully to society, underscoring the importance of adaptive behavior over IQ in rehabilitation planning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Children with normal intelligence can easily grasp facts, abstract concepts, and relationships between ideas, enabling independent learning and problem-solving.
• 😀 Mental retardation is characterized by an inadequacy in general intellectual functioning, affecting learning, adaptation, and social behavior.
• 😀 Individuals with mental retardation require special consideration, guidance, and support to function in a society designed for those with normal intelligence.
• 😀 There are eight general categories of causes for mental retardation, including prenatal/postnatal damage, infections, brain injuries, metabolic disorders, abnormal brain growth, hereditary diseases, unknown causes, and poverty-related factors.
• 😀 The severity of mental retardation varies, and not all individuals with low IQ are considered retarded; adaptive behavior is more important than IQ alone in determining capabilities.
• 😀 There are five adaptive behavior levels, ranked by rehabilitation potential, with levels I–III being the focus of most vocational counseling.
• 😀 Level I (borderline) individuals can handle semi-skilled or simple work and require help only during times of stress.
• 😀 Level II (mildly retarded) individuals need ongoing guidance, behavior modification, and vocational training to achieve semi-independent living and work.
• 😀 Level III (moderately retarded) individuals can work under sheltered conditions with close supervision, perform simple tasks, and live in structured home environments.
• 😀 Levels IV and V include severely and profoundly retarded individuals who require constant supervision and custodial care, with limited or no potential for independent vocational work.
• 😀 Vocational counselors benefit from understanding both the causes of mental retardation and adaptive behavior levels to create effective rehabilitation programs for clients.
• 😀 With appropriate counseling, training, and structured support, most retarded individuals in levels I–III can hold productive jobs and participate meaningfully in the community.

Q & A

What are some of the general abilities of children with normal intelligence?

Children born with normal intelligence can readily understand facts, grasp abstract concepts, interpret signs and symbols, and solve problems by applying old knowledge to new situations. They also learn to anticipate danger and adapt to their surroundings without formal training.

How do children with mental retardation differ from those with normal intelligence in terms of learning and behavior?

Children with mental retardation face difficulties in meeting the demands of the world around them due to general intellectual impairments. They often require special consideration and help from service workers to adapt to their environment. Tasks that come naturally to normal children, such as dressing or moving about independently, can be monumental for those with mental retardation.

What is the relationship between a person's intelligence quotient (IQ) and their adaptive behavior?

While IQ can be an indicator, it is the adaptive behavior of a person that is more important for determining their potential. Adaptive behavior refers to how well an individual can adapt to social and working conditions, which is crucial for vocational counselors in assessing rehabilitation potential.

What percentage of the population is affected by mental retardation, and how many can be rehabilitated?

Approximately 3% of the population is affected by mental retardation, and most individuals can be rehabilitated to hold productive jobs and integrate into society with the right support.

What are the eight categories of causes of mental retardation?

The eight categories are: prenatal or postnatal brain damage, diseases affecting metabolism or nutrition, abnormal brain growth, congenital conditions (e.g., Down's syndrome), hereditary postnatal diseases, unknown causes, cases with no physical defects, and environmental factors such as poverty.

What role does prenatal and postnatal damage play in mental retardation?

Prenatal and postnatal damage, including infections, trauma, or exposure to toxic substances, can cause brain damage that leads to mental retardation. This includes conditions such as encephalopathy, brain injuries at birth, and metabolic disorders like phenylketonuria.

How do vocational counselors assess clients with mental retardation?

Vocational counselors assess clients based on their adaptive behavior rather than IQ alone. They consider the individual's ability to function in different environments and their potential to perform productive work, taking into account the specific category of mental retardation they fall into.

What are the five levels of adaptive behavior in individuals with mental retardation?

The five levels of adaptive behavior are: Level I (borderline), Level II (mildly retarded), Level III (moderately retarded), Level IV (severely retarded), and Level V (profoundly retarded). These levels represent a descending order of rehabilitation potential, with most individuals falling within Levels I to III.

How does the severity of mental retardation affect vocational training and employment?

The severity of mental retardation significantly impacts vocational training and employment. Those in Levels IV and V require constant custodial care and have very limited vocational potential, while individuals in Levels I to III can perform work under varying degrees of supervision and training, with some being capable of semi-skilled or unskilled jobs.

What is the importance of vocational counseling for individuals with mental retardation?

Vocational counseling is essential for individuals with mental retardation to help them achieve independence and dignity in their work. Counselors help assess their potential, provide the necessary training, and place them in environments suited to their abilities, ensuring they can contribute productively to society.