What Is Mental Retardation?

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Definition Of Mental Retardation

Mental retardation is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. This disability originates before age 18.

The following five assumptions are essential to the application of this definition:

• Limitations in present functioning must be considered within the context of community environments typical of the individual’s age, peers, and culture.
• Valid assessment considers cultural and linguistic diversity as well as differences in communication, sensory, motor, and behavioral factors.
• Within an individual, limitations often coexist with strengths.
• An important purpose of describing limitations is to develop a profile of needed supports.
• With appropriate personalized supports over a sustained period, the life functioning of the person with mental retardation generally will improve.

From the American Association on Mental Retardation

Check the links below for more information on mental retardation. The links will open the respective sites in a new window.

American Association on Mental Retardation