How Do You Educate Mentally Retarded Children?
By definition, a child who is mentally retarded must have a below-average IQ and difficulty with functioning. With the right education, however, it is possible to overcome many of these challenges and allow a child to make the transition into adulthood. Evaluate the level of mental retardation of the child. This may require the services of health care professionals, including psychiatrists, developmental therapists, speech therapists and others. Once an examination has been completed, a plan to educate the child can be developed. Address the psychological issues before placing the child in a classroom. Many high-functioning children with mild mental retardation may be hampered by feelings of inferiority and depression. It’s important to understand how the child feels about her condition, which may affect social interaction and the willingness to learn. Determine if the child can be placed into a mainstream student population or needs a special school. While a program of mainstreaming o
