What defines mental retardation?

What defines mental retardation?

• A. Only social skills deficits
• B. Subaverage intellectual and impaired adaptive functioning
• C. Exceptional academic performance with behavioral issues
• D. Giftedness in specific subjects

Answer: (B)

The definition of mental retardation, now more commonly referred to as intellectual disability, encompasses a combination of subaverage intellectual functioning and impaired adaptive functioning. This means that an individual's cognitive abilities are significantly below the average range, typically measured by an IQ score of around 70 or below, and this limited intellectual capability must also be coupled with difficulties in everyday functional skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interaction. This dual criterion emphasizes the importance of both intellectual and adaptive skills in identifying and understanding the challenges faced by individuals with these disabilities. The focus on functional adaptability is crucial, as it reflects how these individuals manage in real-life settings, rather than just their cognitive test scores. The other options do not capture the comprehensive nature of intellectual disability, as they either focus too narrowly on social skills, suggest exceptional abilities that are not characteristic of this condition, or imply a level of giftedness that is contrary to the definition.

The definition of mental retardation, now more commonly referred to as intellectual disability, encompasses a combination of subaverage intellectual functioning and impaired adaptive functioning. This means that an individual's cognitive abilities are significantly below the average range, typically measured by an IQ score of around 70 or below, and this limited intellectual capability must also be coupled with difficulties in everyday functional skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interaction.

This dual criterion emphasizes the importance of both intellectual and adaptive skills in identifying and understanding the challenges faced by individuals with these disabilities. The focus on functional adaptability is crucial, as it reflects how these individuals manage in real-life settings, rather than just their cognitive test scores. The other options do not capture the comprehensive nature of intellectual disability, as they either focus too narrowly on social skills, suggest exceptional abilities that are not characteristic of this condition, or imply a level of giftedness that is contrary to the definition.