What is Mental Retardation?

Mental retardation is a condition, not an illness.
     Mental retardation should not be confused with mental illness or emotional disturbance. People with mental retardation simply have a learning problem; they learn at a slower rate.
     There are four degrees of retardation - mild, moderate, severe and profound. At least 85 percent of people with mental retardation are mildly retarded. These people will live normal lives for the most part. Many will never be diagnosed as having mental retardation.
    One out of 10 Americans has a person with mental retardation in his or her family. About three percent of the population of the United States, or roughly 7.3 million people, will be identified as having mental retardation at some point in their lives.
     Mental Retardation can be prevented in many instances. Today, it is estimated that about one half of all mental retardation could be prevented either through methods such as newborn screening techniques, abstinence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and immunization.

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