My son mentally retarded?

Question

my son is 2 almost three and barely talking he has pt, ot speech and a teacher that comes to our house weekly...... now they say my son is mentally retarded.... so does anyone know about anyone who can get me a diagnosis for my son or maybe a second opion

Answer 1

It sounds like he's getting the support he needs now.

The main way to tell if he is mentally retarded is a IQ test combined with an adaptability test.

Most of the stuff I've found on IQ tests saids that they shouldn't be done before a child turns 3.

You could try an alternative group of therapists.

Most important one is the Speech. If he currently doesn't have a usable communication system (be it talking or the use of AAC - Alternative and Augmentative Communication) then it's very hard to assess his cogniyive abilities.

Try talking to doctors etc. These are the people who are mostly able to give diagnosis. You could also ask the current team to reassess him as they may not have been getting all the relevant information.

Any other disabilities should be taken into account when they are assessing his cognitive ability.

For instance expecting a child who is unable to move independently to show their size knowledge by using stacking boxes (the boxes where each one is progressively smaller) is not going to work as they do not have the physical skills to do the task. This however does not mean that they lack that knowledge

Answer 2

A PT, OT, or ST cannot diagnos mental retardation--they should be talking in terms of Cogntive delay-

you need to look for a developmental pediatricain, developmental neurologist, orneuro developmengtal pediatrican-

an educational pyschologist can test IQ level--but it is oftenhard to get an accurate level on a young child that cannot be fully compliant with the testing.

Answer 3

I would start with your paediatrician, who will organize an educational or child psychologist to do an assessment on your son for a formal diagnosis. They will look at his ability to communicate, socialize, mobility skills (walk, run, hold or grasp etc) and much more.

The earlier a early intervention program is started the better the outcomes are, but is seems you have started with some intervention having the OT, PT and teacher working with your son. Which makes me suspect that there has been some signs of a problem, for an OT etc to be involved. Has anyone said any thing about Autism?

Mental retardation or more commonly known as Developmental delay/disability the preferred term, means that the person has limited ability to function in areas of cognition, communication, care for themselves, social skills etc.

People with developmental delays can and do very well, if programs are set up to help develop their ability to communicate, socialize, life skills etc. Obviously the more profound the delay is, means the child is going to need life long support and care.

I am not keen on labels as they can be detrimental, and people treat people differently. However it is vital you get a formal diagnosis to assist with getting the best supports services involved, and outcomes for his future.

Answer 4

Check with your local school district to see if they a preschool which deals with disabled students.  If so, when your son is three they will be able to provide him with services once the school psychologist does an evaluation.  This will give you a good diagnosis plus you will receive his therapies free since the school will provide the therapist.

Answer 5

Doing an IQ test might give you that information along with an adaptability scale however, he is quite young for that and I can tell you that even the testing for 3 and 4 year olds is not terribly conclusive.

Sounds like he is getting just what he needs now - once his learning pattern is established - it will be a little clearer what is intellectual capacity is - I will also tell you that I have seen some students with strong adaptability skills perform much higher in the classroom than their IQ would suggest.

Answer 6

"Mentally retarded" is such a huge blanket diagnose for such a young child.   As he ages and sees more specialists through the school system you will know more.   It sounds like you are doing everything you can to help him.  Just love your child and make him feel good about who he is.

Answer 7

If he's not talking, there is no way they can perform an adequate IQ test. People with communication orders often are labeled as retarded, esp those with autism. It would be worth it to pay a psychologist to perform an actual test. Teachers and therapists do not have the training OR the licensing to diagnose mental retardation.

Find a psych who will perform a WISC III focusing on nonverbal performance. Don't listen to those people. By slamming him into a square hole this early, they are limiting his possibilities.

Answer 8

It's a bit early for a second opinion, maybe. It sounds like he's getting appropriate supports. Give him a few years. I've seen a file or two with an early diagnosis of mental retardation that had mysteriously turned into specific learning disability by junior high school...

This early, we often talk in terms of developmental delay because it really is difficult to diagnose kids that young. We may end up with a diagnosis of mental retardation, or we may end up with something else. Early interventions are important because they work. It sounds like the early interventions are in place. I'd say just keep doing what you're doing, and see where you are in a couple of years.

Answer 9

You need to tell those morons that call themselves doctors that "Albert Einstein did not learn to talk until he was the age of 4 but he still managed to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1921 for his work in Quantum Physics."

Your son is not retarded and do yourself a favor and don't listen to them.