Moderate mental retardation is when the person has an intelligence quotient (IQ) between 35 and 55. Thus, affected people are slower enough to learn to speak or sit, but if they receive the appropriate treatment and support, they can live with some independence.
However, the intensity and type of support must be established on an individual basis, because sometimes it may take only a little help, so that you can be integrated and independent in your basic daily activities, such as being able to communicate.
Signs, Symptoms and Characteristics
To identify moderate mental retardation, the IQ test should be performed after 5 years of age, which must be guided by the neurologist and present difficulty in at least 2 of the following areas:
- communication, self-care, social / interpersonal skills,
- self-orientation, school performance, work, leisure, health and safety.
IQ is considered normal above 85 and is characterized as mental retardation when it is below 70. When the child or baby has these signs but has not yet reached 5 years of age, it must be said that they present a developmental delay, but this does not mean that all children with a delay in psychomotor development have some degree of mental retardation.
What causes
The causes of moderate mental retardation can not always be identified, but may be related to:
- Genetic alterations, such as Down Syndrome or spina bifida;
- Due to some congenital disease;
- Use of drugs, medications, or alcohol abuse during your pregnancy;
- Central nervous system infection;
- Cerebral malformation;
- Lack of cerebral oxygenation during childbirth or
- Cranial trauma, for example.
Thus, it can be concluded that mental retardation can not be avoided, especially since it may arise due to some genetic change. But having a planned, healthy pregnancy and good care during childbirth can reduce the risk of illness, abuse, trauma, and consequently decreases a woman's risk of having a child with this condition.
Treatments for Mental Retardation Moderate
Mental retardation does not have a cure, but the treatment can be done to improve symptoms, the quality of life of the person and the family, and bring some independence in the accomplishment of tasks such as self-care such as bathing, going to the bathroom, brushing teeth and eating, for example. Thus, it is indicated:
1. Psychomotricity
The treatment with psychomotricity sessions, where exercises and therapies are performed that help in the motor and cerebral development of the child.
2. Medications
Your pediatrician may prescribe medications that may help decrease hyperactivity and autism if needed. Many times the person affects also has epileptic seizures, which can be circumvented with the remedies indicated by the doctor.
3. Other therapies
Self-agressive behavior is very common in children and adolescents with mental retardation, so parents may observe that the child beats when they present some pain, but even if they do not have any pain, they may hit their hands when they want something which he can not express. Thus, occupational therapy and psychomotor physiotherapy can also help improve communication with the child by reducing these aggressive episodes.
Children with moderate mental retardation may not study in an ordinary school, with special education being indicated, but they can hardly master reading, writing, and mathematical calculations, but may benefit from the relationship with the appropriate teacher and other children in the classroom.
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