Mental Retardation

Mental Retardation is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as an intellectual functioning level that is well below average and significant limitations in daily living skills. Mildly mentally retarded is approximately 85% of the special needs population. Their I.Q. ranges from 50 to 75. Moderate mentally retarded is 10% of the special needs population. I.Q. range is 35 to 55. Severely mentally retarded is only 4% of the special needs population. I.Q. range is 20 to 40. Profoundly mentally retarded is only 2% of the population. I.Q. is below 20 to 25. The normal I.Q. range is 90 to 110. About 7 million people in the United States our considered to be special needs.

Down Syndrome is caused by a defect in the 21 chromosome. Down Syndrome occurs one in ever 800 births. Your risk of a having a baby with downs grows as you get older.

5% of mental retardation is caused by hereditary factors.

3% of the generally population is mentally retarded.

7.5 million in the United States alone.