Mental Retardation in Adolescents: Diagnosis and Treatment

Introduction to Mental Retardation in Adolescents

Being an adolescent is already hard enough. Add symptoms of mental retardation into the mix, and life can become incredibly complex without proper treatment and acknowledgment of the condition. Mental retardation can affect adolescents profoundly, and recent research has shown the need for not only more specific diagnostic criteria, but also more comprehensive treatment strategies that prepare the mentally retarded adolescent for adult life.

Mental retardation is a broad term covering a wide variety of conditions, syndromes, and disorders. According to the research, "Mental retardation is a state of development deficit, beginning in childhood, that results in significant limitation of intellect or cognition and poor adaptation to the demands of everyday life" (Sebastian 2008). The primary symptom of the condition is a lowered intelligence that negatively affects the individual's ability to think clearly and live independently. Research suggests that "the condition is characterized by a limitation of performance due to a significant impairment in measured intelligence" (Mental Retardation-Developmental Delay 2010). In most cases, this involves an intelligence quotient (IQ) rating of 70 or below, and the condition typically begins to manifest in various symptoms before the age of eighteen (Sebastian 2008).

Therefore, many of today's adolescents are dealing with the dramatic effects of living with mental retardation. The condition itself can cause reading disorders, problems assimilating mathematical concepts, and difficulties expressing emotions through written words (Zeldin 2010). This makes it extremely difficult for affected adolescents to follow traditional curriculum guidelines.

Causes and Origins of Mental Retardation

In many cases, mental retardation is caused by chromosome damage or a deficiency in chromosome structure, meaning it begins from conception. Down syndrome is one common genetic cause. According to research, "in cases of Down syndrome caused by translocation, there are 46 chromosomes, but chromosomal material from 47 chromosomes is present because an extra chromosome 21 is attached (translocated) to another chromosome, usually chromosome 14" (Sebastian 2010). Another common condition is X-linked syndrome. According to research, "it is X linked, with dominant inheritance, and the penetrance is lower in females" (Sebastian 2008).

There can also be causes arising after birth. Infections and brain damage have been known to produce lasting effects during and before adolescence. Research suggests that "bacterial and viral infections of the brain during childhood may cause meningitis and encephalitis and result in permanent damage" (Sebastian 2008). Understanding these varied origins is essential to developing targeted diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Historical Background and Prevalence

Mental retardation has long been known to the scientific community, but more recent advancements have opened up new ways of addressing it through the most challenging years of adolescence. According to research, "its history dates back to the beginning of man's time on earth" (Biasini et al. 2010). Early Egyptian documents, though "somewhat vague due to difficulties in translation, clearly refer to disabilities of the mind and body due to brain damage" (Biasini et al. 2010).

Much later, in the early nineteenth century in France, Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard did remarkable work with individuals who were mentally retarded. He originally worked with an adolescent boy named Victor, and from his experiences and observations, Itard made important findings about the capabilities of the mentally retarded mind and possible causes — all before the age of genetic testing. In 1908, Henry Goddard established a training school in New Jersey and translated "newly developed tests of intelligence" (Biasini et al. 2010). Since the adoption of intelligence rating scales in the United States, mental retardation has been easier to diagnose, enabling more effective treatment strategies.

The condition affects thousands of Americans and many more across the globe. Research states that "mental retardation affects approximately 1–3% of the population in developed countries" (Sebastian 2008). These individuals suffer not only from learning disabilities but also from overall developmental lags. Many also experience psychiatric disorders: "of individuals with mental retardation, an estimated 40–70% have diagnosable psychiatric disorders" (Sebastian 2008). This prevalence has driven new research focused on how best to support such individuals, especially as they begin their transition into adulthood.