Mental Retardation

Mental Redardation: Impaired or incomplete mental development characterized by an IQ of 70 or below and characterized by significant functional limitations in at least two of the following skills: communication, self-care, home living, social/interpersonal skills, use of community resources, self-direction, functional academic skills, work, leisure, health, and safety. Onset usually occurs before age 18. More than 200 specific causes of mental retardation have been identified. Degrees of severity reflect the level of intellectual impairment:

Mild Mental Retardation - IQ level 50-55 to approximately 70
Moderate Retardation - IQ level 35-40 to 50-55
Severe Mental Retardation - IQ level 20-25 to 35-40
Profound Mental Retardation - IQ level below 20-25

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The definition of this term has been taken from the "Adoption Glossary," which contains definitions of a wide variety of words that relate to adoption and infertility. The entire Adoption Glossary is located at http://glossary.adoption.com.

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