Understanding and Supporting Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Mental retardation is a limitation of a person's intellectual and physical abilities and varies from severe to mild. Conceptual skills like language, social skills like interaction with others and practical skills like self care are lacking in people classified as mentally retarded. Children labeled as such need special care to overcome social, intellectual and physical disabilities.

Instructions

• 1

  Assess to what degree your child is mentally retarded. Ask your pediatrician to refer you to a professional who can test your child's IQ and age expectations to see if he is mildly or severely retarded.

• 2

  Equip yourself with knowledge on mental retardation. Find out the causes, degrees of retardation and how to cope with and manage the diagnosis.

• 3

  Contact Early Intervention in your community. This group offers various services that are specialized for individual needs.

• 4

  Work closely with your school system. A mentally retarded child needs a curriculum tailored to his needs.

• 5

  Seek out support groups in your community or online. Share stories and tips with other caregivers as a way to cope and learn new strategies.