Mental Retardation

Definition: Mental retardation (also known as intellectual disability) is a significantly low intellectual ability, which affects at least two different activities of living. Mental retardation is not a disorder; it is merely a low functioning ability. There is not one level of mental retardation, and not one way to measure that level either. To assess that level, a developmental quotient, intellectual quotient, or level of support can be used. There are four levels of support used to asses a person; intermittent, limited, extensive, and persuasive. There are also four levels Mental Retardation. The first is mild, which has an IQ range of 52-69. The next, moderate, has an IQ range of 36-51. Severe, a range of 20-35, is third. Lastly, the worst type is profound, a range of 19 or below. Mental retardation is caused by many factors including environmental, genetic, and medical. These can occur before, during, or after birth, and the most common cause is the disruption of the brain growth. To be classified as mentally retarded, the onset must be before the age of 18.

Implications: I think the most important and absolutely necessary quality need to teach someone with mental retardation is patience. To teach a student with mental retardation, one basic skill will have to be broken down into small, simple steps. This can become very frustrating for a teacher because they may not understand why that student cannot get that skill. For example, if I were to work with a student of mental retardation on writing the letter “b,” I would start with holding the pencil. We may have to use tools to help hold the pencil. Next we would just draw on the paper. It would not have to be in any pattern, I would just want to the student to get a feel for it. Next, I would show the student how to write a “b” by example. Visual learning can help wonders. Then we would work on just writing the initial line. Once we mastered that, then we would work on the circle. Finally, we would put it all together. The second most important quality is rewards. The student needs to know that they are doing a good job and their hard work is worth something.

Specific Technology:
Tape Recorder: Students with mental retardation may need instructions repeated numerous times. This is a great way to record lectures, instructions, lessons, ect. The student can then go back to listen to them as needed.
Voice Recognition Software: This can help students that have difficulty typing to spelling.
Talking Calculators: Students may need help with understanding numbers or answers.
Video Telephony: This can be used for students that may have trouble with social development. It can get them talking and interacting as a first step.



Reference:

Kauchak, D., & Eggen, P. (2008). Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional. Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

This book offers a general introduction into mental retardation. It briefly explains the definition and explanation of the exceptionality. The section introduces the keys to successfully teaching students with mental retardation.

Melton, J. (2008). Video Telephony. Search Unified Communications. Retrieved February 11, 2009 from http://searchunifiedcommunications.techtarget.com/sDefinition /0,,sid186_gci772533,00.html.

I used this website as an explanation of video telephony. It provides explanations of how it works and what it can provide for exceptional students.

Sulkes, S.B. (2006). Mental Retardation/Intellectual Disability. Merck: Home Edition. Retrieved February 11, 2009 from http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec23/
ch285/ch285a.html.

Merck provided an informational source of mental retardation. It provided very detailed information about the definition, causes, prevention, and symptoms. The site thoroughly explains the methods of assessing different levels of mental retardation and the level of support.

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. (2006). Talking Calculators. Calculation Tools and Aids. Retrieved February 11, 2009 from http://s22318.tsbvi.edu/ mathproject/ch5-sec6.asp.

The website gave information about talking calculators. It offered ways it can be used for exceptional students and what the talking calculator can hurt. The school provided examples of how the talking calculator will help all kinds of students, not only exceptional.

University of Illinois. (2009). Resources for Working with Youth with Special Needs. Retrieved February 11, 2009 from http://urbanext.illinois.edu/specialneeds /mental.html.

This website gave examples of how to teach students with mental retardation. It took a basic skill and showed how to break it down. The site offered basic information about the definition and causes, but the main objective was to offer help for educators