Mental Retardation in American Society Essay -- Mental Retardation Dis

Mental Retardation in American Society Mental retardation is a very serious illness, and most of the American population is ignorant regarding the subject. Approximately 3 percent of people in the U.S. are considered mentally retarded. With a percentage like this, the ignorance on the subject is bizarre. The nation has adopted slang terms such as â€Å"retard†, to insult others. Using this term is a way to call someone stupid. But there is a lot that people do not understand about mental disabilities. The study of the illness is actually a very complex topic. There are many parts that build up the subject. The definition of mental retardation is: significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period, that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Mental retardation is a term used when someone has limitations in their mental functioning. They also are limited in skills such as communicating, self-care, and social skills. These limitations cause a child to learn and develop slower than an ordinary individual. Children with mental retardation may take longer when learning to speak, walk, and take care of their personal needs such as dressing or eating. They are likely to have trouble learning in school. They will learn, but it will take them longer. There are usually things they cannot learn. There are many causes of mental retardation. They include; genetic conditions, pregnancy troubles, birth difficulties, and health problems. In some cases irregular genes inherited from the parents can cause mental retardation. Mental retardation can be the cause of baby not developing properly when in the womb. This could be the effect of the mother consuming alcohol or drugs during pregnancy. At birth, if a newborn does not receive enough oxygen, the result could be mental retardation. Many health problems are the basis for mental retardation. Numerous illnesses cause mental retardation. Also malnutrition and insufficient medical care are grounds for mental retardation. If a child is not receiving ample nutrition then negative effects will result. In addition, if an adolescent does not receive proper medicine, they could in result, develop a mental illness. Despite popular belief, mental retardation is not a disease. It is also not a men... ...s. People with mental retardation are highly misunderstood, but that is beginning to change more and more each year. People are starting to realize that people with mental disabilities aren’t stupid, and that they can learn and understand new concepts. People with mental retardation are fully capable of entering the work force and contribute to society. Individuals with mental retardation are still ostracized to some degree but it has become less and less over time. Soon people will become even more understanding of the mental disabilities that people contain, and hopefully most of the ignorance will vanish. Works Cited Brooks, Penelope H., Sperber, Richard, and McCauley, Charley. Learning and Cognition in the Mentally Retarded (1984): 56-230. Farber, Bernard. Mental Retardation: Its Social Context and Social Consequences (1968): 123-158 Zigler, Edward, and Balla, David. Mental Retardation, the Developmental-Difference Controversy (1982): 47-63. The Medem Network: Connecting Physicians and Patients Online. 3 Dec. 2004 Department of Mental Retardation. 3 Dec. 2004. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 3 Dec. 2004