Conclusion The is little doubt that mental retardation has an effect on society in general and in terms of care and treatment of the affected person. However, it is also true that with the knowledge and expertise that has been accumulated about mental retardation it is also become more feasible to accommodate the mentally retarded person as a productive member of society.

My perception of the mentally retarded in society is that are less fortunate and that the mentally healthy members of society should help and assist these individuals wherever possible. The research for this paper has made me aware that we often categorize the mentally retarded in a general way without realizing that there are different categories and degrees of retardation. Cognizance should be taken of the fact that many people who are mentally retarded can be accommodated in normal society. As one study notes,

..people with mental retardation can be integrated effectively into the larger society and be valuable, productive family members and citizens. The intellectual limitation may not prove handicapping. Individuals with mental retardation have increasingly been accepted as functioning members of society -- many live in community settings, are competitively employed, and are accepted for their abilities. (Goldstein, and Shapiro, 2007)

While mental retardation is a condition that cannot to be prevented in most cases, one can make a considerable difference through a better understanding of the condition. It is also possible to go some way towards prevention by educating people about the prior conditions that can result in retardation; such as the danger of alcohol abuse during pregnancy that can result...

While there is no cure as such for mental retardation those individuals with this condition can be treated and educated to become useful and active members of society.
References

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Goldstein, G. And Shapiro B. (2007) Mental Retardation. Retrieved June 24, 2008 at http://www.dana.org/news/brainhealth/detail.aspx?id=9836

Lustig D.C. (1996)

Family adaptation to a young adult with mental retardation. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0825" Journal of Rehabilitation, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0825/is_n4_v62" Oct-Dec, 1996. Retrieved June 24, 2008 at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0825/is_2_65/ai_54924773/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1

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Mental retardation