bubble_chart Overview

Mental retardation is a group of disorders characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning.

bubble_chart Diagnosis

The diagnosis primarily addresses two issues: one is to determine whether there is intellectual disability, and the other is to identify the disease cause.

In cases of grade III intellectual disability (usually children), parents typically have already noticed the intellectual impairment by the time they seek medical attention, and their main request is for treatment options. For grade I patients, the key is to confirm whether they indeed have intellectual disability.

Before making a diagnosis, doctors must have an understanding of the typical intellectual development levels at various ages in normal children. This serves as a reference to compare with the affected child's condition and form a preliminary impression. This is particularly important for preschool children, as these patients lack academic performance for reference. Additionally, since most families now have only one child, there are no siblings for comparison, making the doctor's judgment crucial for parents. If the intellectual level is borderline and there is a lack of medical history or signs to assist in diagnosis, it is best to conduct an intelligence test. For school-age students, intellectual deficiencies often become apparent when compared to their peers in the same class. Parents may initially refuse to acknowledge their child's issues but eventually seek a doctor's judgment. If the doctor cannot determine based on clinical observations, an intelligence test is also necessary. Therefore, intelligence testing is a vital diagnostic tool.

Currently, there are two widely used intelligence test scales abroad: the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (Binet Scale) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (Wechsler Scale). Both scales have a long history of use and employ an IQ of 100±15 as the normal average. They are widely applied internationally, making the test results easy to compare and share. Intelligence tests are generally administered and interpreted by psychology professionals.

When identifying the disease cause, doctors must be familiar with the various factors that can lead to intellectual disability and then conduct targeted medical history inquiries and examinations. Diagnosing genetic disorders and congenital metabolic defects often requires well-equipped laboratory facilities and skilled personnel.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

1. Disease cause treatment For a small number of cases where the disease cause is clear and effective treatment methods exist, timely disease cause treatment should be administered (e.g., cretinism).

2. Education For grade I patients, the primary "treatment" is education, such as establishing special classes in regular schools or assigning specialized teachers to educate the affected children.

3. Rehabilitation training For grade II patients, rehabilitation training can be conducted with the goal of enabling them to take care of themselves.

4. For grade III and severe grade III patients, the main focus is on nursing care.

5. Symptomatic treatment Children with intellectual disabilities may sometimes exhibit hyperactivity symptoms, which can be treated as hyperactivity disorder. The effectiveness of "brain-boosting drugs" available on the market in improving intelligence is uncertain, but they generally have no serious side effects and can be tried. As the child grows older, their intelligence may also improve, which is not necessarily attributable to the effects of medication.