Tag Archives: mental retardation

Are You Sure Your Child Has ADHD?

A quick google search will lead you to more information about ADHD than you could possibly read. Many parents think that they know enough about ADHD to be able to properly diagnose it in their own children. It’s best to get a formal assessment by a professional health care provider, though. There are many other disorders that share some symptoms of ADHD. Are you sure your child has ADHD? According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of ADHD include: difficulty with sustaining attention on a task, frequent failure to follow through with and complete tasks, and problems with organizing. Kids with … Continue reading →

What’s IQ Got to Do With It?

IQ. . . What is it? IQ stands for intelligence quotient, and is a measure often used to determine whether a child is intellectually below average. It is written as a percentage, such as: In other words, if a child is chronologically age eight, but functions at the intellectual age of a four year old, her IQ would be 4/8 = 50% = “50.” In most cases, a normal IQ is considered to be between the range of 90 – 110. And an IQ of 100 would be absolutely average for that child’s age. A child with an IQ between … Continue reading →

“His Life Is Definitely Not a Struggle.” A Mother of a Child with Down Syndrome Shares Her Story

The following is an interview I had with Valle Dwight. Valle was a reader who sent me a private message correcting my terminology in a previous blog about mental retardation. I agreed with her concerns and removed my blog. Valle was so insightful and positive that I wanted to give her the opportunity to share her story. I continue to be impressed by her and am sure you will enjoy reading this interview. 1. Tell us a little about your family. “My husband and I have been married for 16 years. We have two boys, 13 and 10. Our youngest … Continue reading →

Has Your Child Been Screened for Fragile X Syndrome?

When my son Kyle was first being evaluated and diagnosed, one of the things he was tested for was fragile X syndrome (FXS). It’s a good idea for any child who falls on the autism spectrum or has unexplained mental retardation to be screened for this condition. Fragile X syndrome is the most common known single-gene cause of autism or autistic-like behaviors, and is typically associated with mental impairment. 2% to 6% of children diagnosed with autism are eventually diagnosed with fragile X. What is fragile X syndrome? Like the name indicates, fragile X syndrome is a congenital condition resulting … Continue reading →

“Will You Marry Me?” A Special Kind of Love

It isn’t often known that individuals with Down Syndrome can live long lives, many well into their fifties, sixties, and beyond. That means that you’re likely to see people with DS out in the work force, living on their own, and even marrying. Parents of children with DS should plan well in advance for their children to transition into these adult life experiences. Medical advances and high-quality care has improved life expectancy and the quality of life for these kids. In fact, 80 percent of DS children will live beyond the age of fifty-five. This is exciting, and yet a … Continue reading →

What Causes Down Syndrome?

It might surprise you to learn that “Down Syndrome” is the most commonly occurring genetic condition causing mental retardation in humans. Approximately 1 in 733 babies are born with the syndrome, and approximately 350,000 people have Down Syndrome in the United States alone. It was given its name when a physician, Dr. John Langdon Down, published an accurate description of the features and similarities of people with the syndrome in 1866. He was then considered the “father” of the disorder, and it was given his name. Why does it occur? Down Syndrome occurs because of an error in cell division, … Continue reading →