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 About MelwoodMental RetardationThe most common developmental disability is an intellectual disability, often known by its medical diagnosis, mental retardation. Mental Retardation is a condition that is identified by three criteria:
Estimates on the number of Americans with developmental disabilities vary, from 4.5 million by the Department of Health and Human Resources Administration on Developmental Disabilities to between seven and eight million by The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, which also reports one in ten American families have a member with a developmental disability. The 1990 census stated an estimated seven million individuals had mental retardation. Mental retardation is ten times more common than cerebral palsy and 25 times more prevalent than blindness. Mental retardation cuts across racial, ethnic, educational, social and economic backgrounds. It is estimated that one in every 10 American families is directly affected by mental retardation. The effects of intellectual disabilities vary considerably. 87 percent of individuals will be mildly affected and will only be a little slower than average in learning. 13 percent will have serious limitations in functioning. Early intervention, a functional education, and appropriate supports as adults can enable satisfying lives in the community. Mental Retardation can be caused by any condition that impairs development of the brain before birth, during birth or early childhood years. Several hundred causes have been discovered but in one third of the people affected, the cause remains unknown. The three major known causes are Down Syndrome (also known as Down’s), Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome. Causes of mental retardation include genetic conditions, problems during pregnancy, problems at birth, health problems after birth, poverty and cultural deprivation. A formal definition of mental retardation is available at: |
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Melwood Enterprises |
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5606 Dower House Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Phone: (301) 599-8000 |
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©2007 Melwood |
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