[Mental Retardation]
In simple terms, mental retardation is nothing but low level of intelligence. Maximum physical and mental development of children takes place in their first 5 years of life. If this growth is halted at a certain age (eg. 3 years), the child grows physically but mentally, it has the same mental capacity of a 3 year old child. Some children's muscular co-ordination is weak. Such a child is mentally retarded / handicapped. Society has lots of mis-conceptions about such individuals.

Psychologists have designed IQ (Intelligence Quotient) tests that can determine the level of intelligence in a person. The test includes verbal and mathematical items to be solved. A majority of the population will obtain an average score ranging from 80 to 110 on the tests. Those who score above 110 are genius (only 10% of the population) and those who score below 70 are mentally retarded individuals (only 10% of population). The majority of the retarded have IQs between 50 and 70 and are classified as educable; with the proper help, they can learn to support themselves. However, their mental age is of an eight or twelve year old child. A small percentage of retarded individuals have IQs between 30 and 50 and are classified as trainable. However, they will always be dependent upon others and their mental age is of a four to seven year old child. Individuals with IQ below 30 are severely handicapped and totally dependent upon others for care.

The general Causes of Mental Retardation:
Injury to the baby in the mother's womb
Mother's illenss during pregnancy
Lack of oxygen when the child is in the womb or at the time of delivery
Heredity
Genetic Defects

Mentally retarded individuals are very sensitive to how people behave with them but they are also quick in making friendship. They are dependent on their family members but are extremely loving. Many institutes are engaged in providing basic education and muscular training to such children which brings about some improvement. With some training in small tasks which need only repetition, they can be made economically self-dependent. However there is no cure to this incapacity except the best medicine - Love. To know something more about such children, do watch the hindi movie - Tera Mera Saath Rahe