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Developmental Disorders Series
Mental Retardation
I. What is Mental Retardation?
Mental retardation (MR) is a developmental problem manifested during
a child's years of development (i.e. 0-18 years old). It is a condition
whereby a child's intelligence and adaptability are significantly below
the average level of his peers.
II. What causes Mental Retardation?
Genetic factors
- Hereditary factors or chromosomal abnormalities
Pregnancy and birth factors
- e.g. misuse of drugs or excessive alcohol intake during pregnancy,
complication of birth, prematurity
Infancy and childhood
- Infections and brain injuries, e.g. meningitis, brain trauma, etc.
Unknown factors
- The cause in most cases is unknown
III. How does Mental Retardation affect the child?
Developmental aspects affected by MR:
- Attention
- Memory
- Language ability
- Gross and fine motor coordination
- Learning and problem-solving abilities
- Social and self-care skills
- Ability to control emotion and behaviour
As the child's abilities in the above aspects are significantly lower
than children of comparable age, his/her adaptability in daily life would
be affected.
- Ability to communicate
- Self-care
- Housework
- Social skills
- Working and learning
- Community life
IV. What are the different grades of Mental
Retardation?
The diagnosis of MR should be made through professional assessment by
psychologists or paediatricians.
V. Where can parents seek help if their child is suspected to
have Autism Spectrum Disorders?
According to the prevailing international classification system, MR can
be classified into the following grades according to its severity:
| Mild |
- Persons with "mild" to "moderate" MR face relatively fewer obstacles
during their development. They can acquire general daily living
and self-care skills with proper training and assistance.
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| Moderate |
- Persons with "severe" to "profound" MR require intensive training
and support in various aspects to cope with basic needs in daily
life
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| Severe |
A "three-tier system" is normally used in Hong Kong
for operational classification, i.e. MR is classified into "mild",
"moderate" and "severe" (including severe and profound) grades for
the provision of special educational and training services. |
| Profound |
VI. What are the general achievements of persons with Mental Retardation?
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Pre-school phase
(0-5 years old)
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School age phase
(6-15 years old)
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Adolescence and adulthood
(16 years old or above) |
| Mild MR |
- Overall development is slower than peers. Developmental problems
may not be easily identified until the child starts primary school.
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- Can master basic learning skills (e.g. writing, reading and
numeracy skills)
- Can acquire proper pre-vocational skills
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- Can integrate into community with assistance
- With assistance, can be employed in simple work, and lead a
social life in community
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| Moderate MR |
- Overall development is obviously slower than peers
- Can acquire basic communication skills and simple self-care
abilities
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- Can learn some practical skills for daily living
- Can live independently to a certain extent in familiar environment
and with proper support
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- Can learn to perform simple tasks in specially designed working
environment
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| Severe / Profound MR |
- Significant discrepancy in overall development when compared
with peers
- Some children may also have physical disabilities
- Limited communication abilities and response to the environment
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- Delayed development in motor abilities
- Can learn limited communication skills and simple self-care
tasks
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- Possess simple communication skills
- Can master limited basic self-care skills with special support
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VII. How can parents help their child with Mental Retardation?
- Arrange early assessment for the child so as to understand and accept
his/her developmental problems
- Involve in the child's training so as to master the training methods
and communicate with the instructors
- Join parent self-help groups and make good use of community resources
- Share feelings with others to relieve negative emotion and stress
VIII. Where can parents seek help if their child is suspected to have
Mental Retardation?
During school age:
Preliminary Screening
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Maternal and Child Health Centres / Paediatric departments of hospitals
/ Private practitioners
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Further Assessment
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Child Assessment Centres
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Education Bureau
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Education, Treatment, Training and Follow-up
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Medical service
- Occupational therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Speech therapy
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Education Bureau
- Special schools
- Services for children in mainstream schools:
- Support services in schools
- Outreach support of Special Education Services
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During adolescence and adulthood:
Employment services for persons with relatively mild retardation
- Occupational performance assessment and training of the Vocational
Training Council
- Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department
- Employment service of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service
- Sheltered workshops of the Social Welfare Department or voluntary
organisations
Training services for persons with relatively severe retardation:
- Day activity centres of the Social Welfare Department or voluntary
organisations
Enquiry Numbers and Related Websites
Copyright @ 2008
Child Assessment Service, Department of Health, HKSAR
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