Mental Retardation Awareness Month

Mental Retardation Awareness Month is an annual observance that concentrates on increasing public awareness and understanding of the unique issues affecting individuals with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. Mental retardation is a disability that occurs before age 18. It is characterized by significant restrictions in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior as expressed in communication, self-care, home living, social/interpersonal skills, use of community resource, self-direction, functional academic skills, work, leisure, health and safety. Mental retardation is diagnosed through the use of standardized intelligence tests and adaptive behavior that is appropriate to one’s age and culture. Causes of mental retardation can include any of the following:

· Genetic conditions

· Problems during pregnancy

· Problems at birth

· Problems after birth

· Poverty and cultural deprivation.

There are many steps a woman can take to reduce the chances of having a baby born with mental retardation. The health of a baby can depend on how healthy a mother is prior to pregnancy. Ideally, she should obtain a general health assessment six months before pregnancy. In addition, prenatal care should commence as soon as she suspects she is pregnant. During pregnancy, a woman can protect the developing fetus by getting plenty of rest and sleep, consuming nutritious meals and substances, evading alcohol, cigarettes and drugs, avoiding people who are ill, wearing seat belts in a car; and not lifting heavy objects.