Can Mental Retardation be Treated Completely?
Children suffering from mental retardation are not very difficult to identify. However, their degree of retardation may differ. But, can mental retardation be cured completely?
Is there any cure for mental retardation?
There is no cure for mental retardation. Nevertheless, early intervention can help children suffering from the condition. It enriches the intellectual and physical development of such people. Furthermore, therapists can train children with mild mental retardation in the skills needed to live in a productive way in the society. With behavioral & educative training interventions early in life, they can develop better motor abilities, coordination, language usage, and social skills.
How can we help children with mental retardation?
Behavioral interventions are the most useful in producing motor, language, social, and cognitive gains. The families of children suffering from mental retardation are very important. They must participate in this process by rewarding the child for appropriate behaviors. They also need to respond negatively to the inappropriate ones. Family-based interventions provide parents with a context within which to discuss family problems and issues related to the family member who has mental retardation. Such interventions can provide an important source of support as well as help to the child.
The most straightforward form of prevention is the early detection of PKU (Phenylketonuria) by testing the baby for this disorder immediately after delivery. If the baby tests positive, the mental health professional will try to correct the disorder by means of a special diet. Unfortunately, the technology and knowledge that we have at present are not enough to treat the other genetic causes of mental retardation.
What are we doing for these children?
Today, the efforts of many people have resulted in an increased public awareness about mental health and retardation. Movies like “Taare Zameen Par” produced and directed by Aamir Khan are an example of the same. They give more attention to children’s mental health.
Besides this, various organizations like Umang, Shiamak Davar’s Institute for Performing Arts etc. are also striving for the same cause. More and more short films, documentaries and movies focussing on children with mental retardation are being made.
Most importantly, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 (as well as the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995, which was in use till 2015) provides certain rights and privileges to people with such disabilities. This even includes reservation of 3–4% seats in government jobs and the right to free education till the age of 18 years.
Furthermore, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) provides such students with certain aids and exemptions. For example, children with disabilities like mental retardation need not study a third language. They also get extra time and/or a scribe for writing examinations.
Inclusive and integrative education of such children in mainstream schools is another idea that is becoming more and more popular. The basic idea here is to create such schools which can cater to the needs of children with certain disabilities like mild or moderate mental retardation.
Conclusion
We may thus conclude that children suffering from mental retardation can unfortunately not be treated to get rid of the condition. Nevertheless, mental health professionals can improve these children’s lives with the help of early intervention and therapy. The Government, as well as various organizations, are also taking many steps to help children with mental retardation
Originally published at blog.mindsolace.com on June 18, 2017.
