Physically or mentally, or both physically and mentally, or lifelong disabilities can be called developmental disabilities or mental retardation.
These deficiency symptoms can be shown from the fetal stage or after birth or during childhood and between the ages of 18-22 years it can be confirmed whether a person is suffering from a developmental deficiency disease.
There are several factors that can be evaluated for that.
- Ability to live independently.
- Ability to manage one’s economy.
- Learning skills and ability to direct intelligence.
- Ability to independently maintain behaviour and physical motor activity.
- Ability to maintain interpersonal communication using a language.
- Ability to maintain personal daily activities and cleanliness, and appearance.
- Ability to make independent decisions about one’s own activities and social contributions. About 3 per cent of the total population is found to suffer from developmental disabilities.
Because mental or developmental deficiency diseases occur due to causes that occur before a person is born, causes that occur during the embryonic stage, and causes that affect life after birth.
Before birth
When a pregnant mother is over 40 years of age, there is a risk of mental retardation in children born due to chromosomal structural abnormalities in the eggs produced.
Factors such as mothers’ alcohol, drugs, use of certain medicines without approval, and common exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation are also causes of mental children.
German measles (rubella), AIDS, etc., the mother not getting enough balanced nutrition, blockage of the blood supply from the mother to the child through the amniotic sac (amniotic sac), the mother suffering physical accidents that affect the fetus, and the mother living in a mentally and emotionally uncomfortable environment the reason for the birth of mental children.
At Birth
Being born before the due date as a premature baby. Due to the increase in the time interval between the cessation of the oxygen supply through the fetal bond and the start of spontaneous breathing (airway obstruction), the accumulation of pigment in the ganglia of the brain and the dangers to the brain due to the equipment and methods used during birth, a child may suffer from a mental state at birth.
After Birth
Malnutrition in infancy. Adequate breastfeeding in the first 6 months can maintain adequate nutrition during that period. Accidents after birth that damage the central nervous system, Meningitis, encephalitis, lack of proper treatment, exposure to chemicals such as lead or unlicensed drugs, severe mental disorders such as neglect, abuse, loss of parents, etc., can cause mental retardation in children.
A variety of mental illnesses can occur due to abnormal arrangement due to abnormalities in chromosome patterns.
Abnormalities in the body’s internal biochemical activity or metabolic imbalances also cause the mental state.
In addition, due to the lack of quality relationships, acceptance, appreciation and guidance in the social and family environment, and lack of love and care, behavioural abnormalities are shown to gain the attention of others, because mental illnesses occur simultaneously with physical growth and mental development. With age, interpersonal communication and social relationships are built on the abilities, skills and behaviour patterns that a person portrays.
Intelligence score is calculated by indicators based on physical, verbal, behavioural and mental activities that improve in a person at each age group.
Intelligence scores ranged from 69% to 55% in the developmental deficit category. It is necessary to provide special education to these children who can improve basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills. Get schooling up to several grades. They are a group that can live independently and are able to engage in some simple work under supervision. However, by recognizing their special abilities and providing encouragement, guidance and facilities, quality creations can be produced.
People with moderate developmental disabilities are those with an IQ of 54% to 40%. These children are encouraged to do their daily activities (bathing, washing clothes, keeping the house clean, brushing teeth, (such as packing equipment) and have a general understanding and ability to maintain social relationships. Writing, and reading can sometimes be practised and essential specific words can be practised in basic calculations. Can get used to doing simple work with a group or person under supervision.
Children with an IQ between 39% and 25% can be called children with severe developmental disabilities. The assistance of a close person or group is required in the basic tasks of their daily hygiene such as eating, using the toilet and maintaining the appearance and in engaging in some activity.
A person or group of people who understand the mental and physical needs or problems and take care of children with severe developmental disabilities is essential. The reason is that the method they use to express their opinions may be a method that is unique to them.
By providing adequate nutrition, exercise and mental relief, early detection and treatment of physical diseases can provide space for them to live a wonderful life.
The most severe condition is that children with mental or developmental disabilities have an IQ of less than 25 per cent. They need the help of others for all their personal needs like eating, toileting, and maintaining cleanliness.
We can consider the opportunity to live longer by carefully identifying and caring for needs and problems through their signal systems and by early detection and treatment of physical diseases as well as by providing adequate exercise. Kind words and loving care keep them mentally happy.
It is difficult for children with severe developmental disabilities to receive treatment for physical illnesses directly because of their inability to express their health problems and the inability to detect illnesses through diagnostic tests. Accordingly, it may not be possible to get relevant treatment quickly and identifying their mental problems is an even more difficult task.
Because among mentally (developmentally disabled) children, some suffer from hearing and visual impairments, epilepsy and depression.
Because there are many things we can do for the mental community. Those children face many problems in their families and society. It is caused by their social abnormalities, behavioural differences and communication problems.
But if we, as intelligent citizens, are properly aware of mentally ill people and come forward to help them, if we think sympathetically towards them, it will not be a social problem.
Constant scolding, attacks, belittling, and ridicule are some of the problems faced by mentally ill people socially. In addition to not receiving proper food, punishment, neglect, exploitation, fraud, and not fulfilling their needs on time is also a problem they face on a daily basis. Sexual abuse, as well as frequent arrests and imprisonment in existing legal situations, are some of the other problems faced by mentally ill people.
Due to the physical, mental, emotional and social challenges faced by these people, some people show violent and anti-social behaviour and some people can be seen as weak people without self-esteem and self-confidence in society.
When a child is diagnosed with a mental condition, how can that child be rehabilitated? By examining and introducing the skills that can be improved and giving the necessary guidance to leave as independently as possible, the child can be turned into a productive person in society with a good personality and not a troublesome character in society or a burden to the parents.