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What Are the Different Types of Mental Retardation Activities?

T. Carrier
T. Carrier

Mental retardation is generally defined as an impairment in the cognitive, or thinking-based, functioning — and resulting behaviors — of an individual. The impairment may range from mild to profound, which is the most severe cognitive impairment. In many regions, diagnosing mental retardation is achieved through the use of intelligence quotient (IQ) tests or similar measurements, and many activities are geared toward helping improve the lives of diagnosed individuals. Mental retardation activities can be divided by the specific focal areas that they address: physical fitness, learning, and occupational skill-building. As a result, particular mental retardation activities can include the following: aerobic and weight exercises, memory and problem-solving exercises, and skill-building tasks.

Due to cognitive impairments, mentally retarded individuals frequently experience learning difficulties, so learning-based mental retardation activities are thus prevalent. In the classroom, tasks that enhance memory and that help build problem-solving skills are invaluable for students with mental retardation, for example. More specific activities may teach concepts that the individual can apply to everyday life, such as working with money and clocks to better understand finances and time. Activities designed to bolster reading or other skill-based tasks are often focused on breaking the task down into smaller and easier-to-understand components. In addition, gently encouraging right answers and behaviors through verbal prompting, routine establishment lists, or reward systems is another common component of learning-based mental retardation activities.

Skill-building and physical exercise are considered important mental retardation activities.
Skill-building and physical exercise are considered important mental retardation activities.

The adaptive behavior that results from cognitive choices can suffer greatly in mentally retarded individuals. As such, occupational therapy mental retardation activities that build important life skills are of further benefit. Cognitively impaired individuals may be delayed in the complex reasoning skills that are often necessary to make important decisions and establish independence. Depending on the degree of retardation, the ability to perform everyday tasks and to interact with others in a socially acceptable manner may also be hindered. Therefore, occupational activities may range from teaching individuals how to cook and bathe to helping individuals better function in a workplace setting through simulating and play-acting real-world scenarios.

Occupational therapy is often used to help those with intellectual disabilities to improve their ability to move their bodies.
Occupational therapy is often used to help those with intellectual disabilities to improve their ability to move their bodies.

Since individuals with mental retardation tend to have a greater number of health problems than the average population, physical exercise is an important but sometimes overlooked component of mental retardation activities. Breathing and heart problems are two of the most prominent types of potential health ailments, so low-impact aerobic activity that raises the heart rate can be particularly beneficial. Examples include jogging, bicycling, or even brisk walking. A reasonable weight-lifting program can further help individuals with mental retardation improve bone and muscle strength, as weakness in these areas is somewhat commonplace as well. Any type of exercise should be precluded and followed up by stretching to prevent injury, and any exercise program should be discussed with a physician, especially for those who may have adverse health issues.

Discussion Comments

Feryll

My mother works with intellectually disabled adults, who are referred to as clients. The men and women are placed in group homes with one another as an alternative to living with their parents. This gives the men and women more independence and they are able to put some distance between themselves and their parents, which allows them to grow up.

There are workers who work at the homes and help the clients do their chores and do the things they have to do to take care of themselves, but for the most part the clients are caring for themselves. They go to school and to work. They help prepare meals and wash clothes and so on.

Some of them eventually move on to get apartments of their own, and they live alone. A case manager checks in on them from time to time once they are on their own.

mobilian33

I knew an older couple who had a daughter late in life and the girl was mentally challenged. The parents always treated the girl like a little girl. They didn't teach her to do things for herself, so that when she became a woman she was still more like a child in the way she behaved.

This turned out to be really unfortunate because both parents died before the daughter and the girl had a tough time adjusting to a new lifestyle where she was no longer treated as a little child.

Animandel

People with mental developmental issues need some types of care that other people don't require. This is obvious. However, we as a society go too far sometimes and treat people with mental retardation too differently from everyone else.

The most important fact to remember about people who are not as well developed mentally is that they are people, and people want to be treated like people. We have come a long way in meeting the needs of people with mental retardation, but we still treat them like children sometimes even when they are well into their adult lives.

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    • Skill-building and physical exercise are considered important mental retardation activities.
      By: muro
      Skill-building and physical exercise are considered important mental retardation activities.
    • Occupational therapy is often used to help those with intellectual disabilities to improve their ability to move their bodies.
      By: g215
      Occupational therapy is often used to help those with intellectual disabilities to improve their ability to move their bodies.
    • Memory problems and short attention spans are common signs of mental retardation.
      By: kmiragaya
      Memory problems and short attention spans are common signs of mental retardation.
    • Art programs can provide therapy and stimulation for people dealing with mental retardation.
      By: Photoman
      Art programs can provide therapy and stimulation for people dealing with mental retardation.
    • Some mental retardation activities may center around building life skills.
      By: Miriam Dörr
      Some mental retardation activities may center around building life skills.
    • Expectant mothers who drink alcohol may be putting their unborn child at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome, which is one of the leading causes of mental retardation in kids.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Expectant mothers who drink alcohol may be putting their unborn child at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome, which is one of the leading causes of mental retardation in kids.
    • Many people with mental retardation have the ability to help with chores or hold a basic job with proper supervision.
      By: muro
      Many people with mental retardation have the ability to help with chores or hold a basic job with proper supervision.