Mental retardation (MR) means having sub average general intellectual functioning (refers to scores obtained on intelligence tests) existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior (refers to a person’s adjustment to everyday life) and manifested during the development period, which adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Difficulties may occur in learning communication, social, academic, vocational, and independent living skills.

Source: Dictionary: For parents of Children with Disabilities

There. A short definition of mental retardation (MR). Why, I ask myself, parents don’t want their children to be diagnosed with this term, MR? Maybe because having MR connotes a negative diagnosis because it is quite disheartening, downgrading in fact. Maybe because people associate mental retardation with those severely handicapped persons who cannot take care of themselves. I know, this topic would raise a lot of eyebrows and would have temperatures rise. I am just expressing the thoughts and fears of these parents who might think in terms like this. But if truth be told, parents would often want to hear a diagnosis of LD or ADHD rather than “borderline mental retardation”.

It is true that sometimes, parents blame themselves if diagnosis like this is given. It is also true that it hurts to hear that one’s child has learning problems but it is wasted time to have self-pity and depressing thoughts when there is so much to do to help the child. Bottom line is, whatever the diagnosis, it is best to seek help as early as possible, wring out all resources if needed to be able to the the child cope, manage the difficulties and adjust.

What exactly is borderline mental retardation?

And what is borderline intellectual functioning?

As additional information, read this definition of mental retardation and developmental disability.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 16th, 2007 at 9:51 pm and is filed under Being a (Special Ed) Teacher, mental retardation, My Thoughts, special education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.