Definition Mental Retardation

Mental retardation is an axis II disorder, is defined in the DSM IV TR as: (1) intellectual function below the average together with, (2) Lack of adaptive behavior, and (3) Happen before the age of 18 years. Criteria for mental retardation in the DSM IV TR are as follows:

(1) intellectual function is significantly below the average, an IQ of less than 70, (2) Lack of social adaptive functioning in at least two areas: communication, self care, family life, interpersonal skills, use of community resources, ability to take their own decisions, functional academic skills, recreation, employment, health and safety, (3) Happen before the age of 18.


The first component in the definition of DSM require an assessment of intelligence. The determination must be based on IQ tests given to a person by a professional who is competent and well trained.

The next component is the adaptive function, namely referring to the mastery of skills during childhood such as using the toilet, dressing, understanding the concept of time and money, was able to use the equipment, shop, travel by public transport and developing social responsiveness. A teenager, for example, are expected to apply academic skills, reasoning and judgments in daily life and participate in various group activities. An adult is expected to support themselves and hold social responsibility.

The last component in the definition of mental retardation is a disorder occurs before the age of 18, to prevent weakness classify intelligence and adaptive behavior caused by injury or illness that occurs later in life resulting in mental retardation. Children who experience severe hendaya often diagnosed in infancy. Even so, most children who are mentally retarded are not identified so until they start school.

These children do not show signs of physiological, neurological, or physical problem is clear and below appear only after they showed an inability to experience the same life as their children at school age.

Classification of Mental Retardation

Criteria for classification of mental retardation can not just use a standard intelligence, because some people who fall into groups of mild mental retardation do not have interference with the adaptive function that can not be classified in mental retardation disorders. Classification based on intelligence can be used if the patient experienced interference on adaptive function. The following is a summary of the characteristics of people who fall into each level of mental retardation.

Mild mental retardation
Between IQ 50-55 to 70. They can not always be distinguished from normal children before starting school. At the end of their teens they usually can learn academic skills more or less the same as level 6. They can work as adults, work that does not require complicated skills and they can have a child.

Moderate mental retardation
Between IQ 35-40 to 50-55. People who are mentally retarded is to have a physical weakness and neurological dysfunction that inhibit the normal motor skills, such as holding and coloring in the lines, and gross motor skills, like running and climbing. They were able, with much guidance and training, traveling alone in the local area who are not foreign to them. Many were living in institutional shelters, but most live hanging with family or homes along the supervised.

Severe mental retardation
Between IQ 20-25 to 35-40. Generally they have physical abnormalities at birth and limitations in sensory motor control. Most lived in institutions and shelters need help super vision continuously. Adults who have severe mental retardation can act friendly, but usually only briefly to communicate in a very concrete level. They can do little on their own activities and often looks listless because of severe damage to their brains that makes them relatively passive and living conditions they just give a little stimulation. They are able to do a job that is very simple with constant supervision.

Very severe mental retardation
IQ below 25. Those who fall into this group require total supervision and often must be nurtured throughout their lives. Most had serious physical abnormalities and neurological damage and can not walk alone anywhere. Death rates in childhood in people who have very severe mental retardation is very high.