• increased risk of psychiatric disorders
• 20% of kids w/IQ< 70 have severe emotional/behavior problems
• aggressive/disruptive behaviors
• attentional deficits/ learning problems
• depression/bipolar disorders
• anxiety

-Environmental causes

• environmental deprivation neglect, abuse, poverty, parental, psychopathology

-Genetics

• defective genes/ mutations
• # of chromosomes
• gene structure 

Levels of Mental Retardation

(MILD)

• 85% of MR
• IQ Range : 55-70
• Deficits: Primarily Academic- Can live independently (6 grade level)
• Support: Academic 

Levels of Mental Retardation 

(Moderate)

• 10% of Mental retardation 
• IQ Range: 40-55
• Deficits: Academic (Abstract concepts)- 1st/2nd Grade, Social -inappropriate, Problem Solving
• Support: Academic, Daily Living (Group Home)

Levels of Mental Retardation

(Severe)

• 3-4% of Mental Retardation
• IQ range: 25-40
• Deficits: Very limited communication and self care skills
• Support: Significant supervision

Levels of Mental Retardation

(Profound)

• 1-2 % of Mental Retardation
• IQ Range: <25
• Deficits: Considerable impairment in all domains; may learn basic task
• Support:Lifelong supervision and care

• blindness and hearing impairtment
• cerebal palsy, scoliosis, other impairments in motor functions
• GI problems, Enuresis (control bladder), Encopresis (control bawl)

• individual shows a clear organic cause
• more prevalent , @ moderate, severe & profound
• more often associated w/other physical disabilities
• prenatal, perinatal, postnatal- causes

• Individuals shows no obvious causes of MR
• more prevalent @mild
• higher rates with minority groups low SES groups
• few associated physical/medical disabilities
• polygenic (parents low IQ), environmentally deprived, 

• Self Injurious Behavior-SIB- related to IQ or communication skills
• Movement Disorders(Tics/Tourettes)

• Prevention - genetic counseling, prenatal screening
• early intervention

-learning disorders

-communication/language

-pervasive developmental

-ADHD or other disruptive behavior

• genetic abnormality on X chromosome
• cognitive slowing after adolescence
• particular weakness on problems that require step by step solutions or sequential problem-solving
• more sever in boys vs. girls

• genetic abnormality on chromosome 15
• mild MR
• form birth to age 3-very social- show significant delays in other areas
• by age 3- perpetually hungry, socially decline, emotional immaturity and moodiness

• organic (biological) causes of Mr, in born medical anomalies, chromosomal, anomalies, metabolic disorders (RKU)
• Prenatal Causes- intrauterine infections exposures to toxic substances, toxemia
• perinatal insult- oxygen deprivation, intracranial hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, seizures, infection
• childhood insult- head injury, infections, seizure disorders, toxic exposures

• trisomy 21
• related to maternal age
• moderate to severe MR w/cognitive slowing
• sociable, but stubborn
• comorbid medical conditions (heart problems)