MENTAL RETARDATION
At Intellectual Disabilities Department, we understand that any disability can be challenging, and family members often have questions or concerns about their loved one's health and well-being. In this section, we encourage you to look through some of the most commonly asked questions regarding mental retardation and disabilities. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact Intellectual Disabilities Department today.
What is mental retardation?
The term "mental retardation" actually covers multiple complications that an individual can suffer from that affect learning and emotional development or intellectual growth. Numerous conditions can cause these disabilities, including genetic factors, major accidents, fetal alcohol syndrome, and family history of mental complications. Birth injuries have also been known to cause mental disabilities.
How common is mental retardation?
About 10% of the population in the world has some form of mental disability, and 1% has severe form of mental disorders with disability. The recent development in mental health services in India is the community care approach. The epidemiological surveys in India showed the prevalence of psychiatric disorder varying from 9.5 to 370/1000 population. However, recent census data reported that 2.21% of the population has some form of disability and among them, only 2.7% has mental illness, and 5.6% has mental retardation. This may be because the data collected could not detect mild or moderate degrees of mental disability which goes undiagnosed because of limited knowledge and lack of adequate skilled personnel to assess. Depending on the specific cause of the mental disability, such as cerebral palsy or autism, the numbers may vary. It is important to know, however, that you and your loved one are not alone. Many people are dealing with the same struggles as your family, and we can help.
What causes these disabilities?
Lack of oxygen in the womb or during the labor process, medical conditions, serious traumatic brain injuries, abnormal genes, genetics, premature births, and family history can all cause mental disabilities and handicaps. A medical professional can help determine the exact cause of the specific condition that your family member is facing and may be able to provide more insight.
How did my loved one develop a mental disability?
The disability that each person may suffer from varies; however, some of the most common mental handicaps are a result of genetics or an accident. Down syndrome is caused by a genetic mutation. Cerebral palsy may have occurred during birth. Some serious car accidents or slip and fall cases can result in brain damage. Each patient is different.
How can I tell if my loved one is mentally disabled?
Mental disabilities range across a broad spectrum of developmental and intellectual conditions. When assessing handicaps, it is important that you first speak with a medical professional. Some symptoms may include speech disabilities, complications with movement, and in some cases, delayed motor skills and movement.
How can mental or developmental delays be treated?
There are some treatments available for mental disabilities, and a medical professional can help determine which may be the best for your loved one's specific needs. Medicine, rehabilitation, treatment and education of the family can all boost quality of life.
How can these conditions be managed?
When managing mental conditions, most families will need to ensure that they understand the disability as much as possible. Support from family members and doctors can greatly increase a person's quality of life. Of course, in-home care and support can help as well. Intellectual Disabilities Department can provide your loved one with the care that he or she deserves during school, after school, or in the form of senior activities.
How do I get my loved on the help that he or she needs?
If you have a feeling that your loved one may have a mental condition, or if you are looking for additional help caring for your loved one, it is important that you contact Intellectual Disabilities Department. We can provide trusted in-home care for your family member.
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