Could my mother suffer from a very mild form of mental retardation?

Question

I have been observing certain symptoms of hers lately, and it struck a cord with me. I recently took a psychology class, and we learned a bit about mental retardation and autism. I was comparing some of her characteristics to those of the mentally handicapped, and I believed that she is very mildly mentally retarded, or at least borderline retarded. She seems to be stuck at the ~13-14 year old mental capacity. My grandparents helped in raising me, so that eliminates the argument of "if she was retarded, how could she raise you?". Her symptoms include:

- Slightly impaired motor function (hands move in an odd manner, stumbles when she walks, often prefers to walk on tip-toes, etc.)

- socially inadequate

- mumbles to herself

- very moody

- gets frustrated when she can't perform simple tasks

- cannot cook

- hoards items that she thinks are "special or interesting"

- does not have a solid grasp of moderate to advanced English language skills

Do you think that she might be mildly mentally retarded? I gave her an online IQ test -- which I know isn't accurate, but I have had my IQ professionally tested and the online one came within 5 points -- and it placed her at a 73, which is borderline retarded.

Thanks, I'll pick a best answer TODAY!

Answer 1

She could be slower than some people. She could be in the menopause, which does affect your nerves, your thinking and such like.

Just remember something. It is not everybody who is clever and even wants to be clever. She could be quite content just how she is.

Socially inadequate - she could be just shy

Mumbles to herself  - we all do that sometimes

Very moody - could be menopause or hormones or worries

Gets frustrated - that could be the menopause

Cannot cook - does it matter

Hoards items - so she is a hoarder does not mean she is retarded

Does not have solid grasp of English Language - well she gave birth to you and you have the grasp - did you inherit that skill.

Answer 2

Did she had some kind of stroke before?

Maybe she wasn't raised properly, or she had a drama something in her life that affected her so much, you never know. And if you were raised by your grandparents that means they or she knew that something is not right.

But you should know better, you took the class, and it is your mother, I don't think it's fair to you if we now say yes she is, because you wrote these symptoms like you would like "us" to agree with you. Take her to a doctor if she is dangerous for herself or others. If not let her live her life as she knows.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Don't be so quick to label your mother. It could be hereditary, you know.

Answer 4

i am the same way. except i am 14 and I am a great cook. But online tests are not very reliable at all. you must get a professional to diagnose whatever the problem is.

Answer 5

It definitely doesn't sound like your mother is functioning on a normal adult level. It is possible she suffers from some form of retardation. Did she complete school? Do you know anything about how she was raised? Does she or has she ever used drugs? It could be an underlying medical problem, did she have a stroke or has she always been this way. There are many possibilities. She should have further testing by a doctor to know for sure what is going on.  

Answer 6

If you took a psychology class, and found that your Mom might be borderline, Retarded then maybe she is, but that does not matter if she shows her affection to you and Love, that is all that matters, just take care of her and Love her for bringing you into the World, maybe God wanted it that way,so be proud of her and do not under any circumstances be ashamed of her in any way.

Answer 7

Now i don't her full history but was she hurt or abused when she was young was she around many people who were hurt  

she might have PTSD she needs to see a doctor

  Post tramatic strees disorder