In other words, their life span is very short. Thus, there is gross physical disorder and lack of proper resistance as a result of which in many cases a great percentage of profoundly retarded people die at a very early age. In profound retardation majority deformities of the brain, head and body are often observed. They fail to learn even the simplest skills. They even cannot attend to their basic physical needs. Thus, they require complete hospitalization, immense attention and personal care. They are completely incapable of looking after themselves. It represents 1% of the mentally retarded people. less than 25 i.e., mental age of a 3 year old child. Severe mental retardation is more often than not associated with some sort of organic pathology like some genetic disorder or severe brain damage due to accident, brain hazards and etc. Since they are incapable of doing anything independently, they require complete care and attention. The majority of them are permanently institutionalized and require constant care and attention.Įven they face problems while learning simple tasks. They represent more than three per cent of the retarded individuals.
With special training and proper care they can be taught be self supporting and to earn their livelihood independently. Though intellectually inferior, they have no actual brain damage, neurological disorder or organic defect whatsoever. They are capable of showing the social behaviour of adolescents. The rest of this group are able to complete their minimum education in special classes and they can somehow manage unskilled jobs. However, only one per cent of this category of mentally retarded requires institutional care. They have the mental age of 8- 10 year old child. Mild Mental Retardation:Ībout 90 per cent of the mentally retarded persons are found to belong to this category. This article throws light upon the four levels of mental retardation in humans.