C.

MENTAL RETARDATION AND ITS LEVELS

What is Mental Retardation (MR)?

MR is a condition of limited ability in which an individual has a low Intelligence Quotient (IQ), usually
below 70 on a traditional intelligence test, and has difficulty adapting to everyday life: he/she first
exhibited these characteristics during the so-called developmental period by age 18.

MR is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as a level
of intellectual functioning (as measured by standard intelligence tests) that is well below average and
results in significant limitations in the person's daily living skills (adaptive functioning). Adaptive skills are
a term that refers to skills needed for daily life. Such skills include the ability to produce and understand
language (communication); home-living skills, use of community resources, health, safety, leisure, self-
care and social skills: self-direction; functional academic skills (reading writing, and arithmetic); and job-
related skills.

Four Different Levels of Mental Retardation

1. Mild Mental Retardation - Approximately 85% of the mentally retarded population is in the mildly
retarded category. Their IQ score ranges from 50-70, and they can often acquire academic skills up to
about the sixth-grade level. They can become fairly self-sufficient and, in some cases, live independently,
with community and social support.

2. Moderate Mental Retardation - About 10% of the mentally retarded population is considered
moderately retarded. Moderately retarded persons have IQ scores ranging from 35-55. They can carry
out work and self-care tasks with moderate supervision. They typically acquire communication skills in
childhood and are able to live and function successfully within the community in such supervised
environments as group homes.

3. Severe Mental Retardation - About 3-4% of the mentally retarded population is severely retarded.
Severely retarded persons have 1Q scores of 20-40. They may master very basic self-care skills and some
communication skills. Many severely retarded individuals are able to live in a group home.

4. Profound Mental Retardation - Only 1-2% of the mentally retarded population is classified as
profoundly retarded. Profoundly retarded individuals have IQ scores under 20-25. They may be able to
develop basic self-care and communication skills with appropriate support and training. Their
retardation is often caused by an accompanying neurological disorder. Profoundly retarded people need
a high level of structure and supervision.
Causes and Symptoms of Mental Retardation

Low IQ scores and limitations in adaptive skills are the hallmarks of mental retardation. Aggression, self-
injury, and mood disorders are sometimes associated with the disability. The severity of the symptoms
and the age at which they first appear depend on the cause. Children who are mentally retarded reach
developmental milestones significantly later than expected, if at all. If retardation is caused by
chromosomal or other genetic disorders, it is often apparent from infancy. If retardation is caused by
childhood illnesses or injuries, learning and adaptive skills that were once easy may suddenly become
difficult or impossible to master. In about 40% of cases, the cause of mental retardation cannot be
found.

Biological and environmental factors that can cause mental retardation include:

1. Genetic Factors

About 30% of cases of mental retardation is caused by hereditary factors. Mental retardation may be
caused by an inherited genetic abnormality, such as fragile X syndrome.

What is Fragile X Syndrome?

It is a defect in the chromosome that determines sex, is the most common inherited cause of mental
retardation. Single-gene defects such as phenylketonuria (PKU) and other inborn errors of metabolism
may also cause mental retardation if they are not discovered and treated early. An accident or mutation
in genetic development may also cause retardation. Examples of such accidents are development of an
extra chromosome 18 (trisomy 18) and Down syndrome. Down syndrome, also called mongolism or
trisomy 21, is caused by an abnormality in the development of chromosome 21. It is the most common
genetic cause of mental retardation.

2. Prenatal Illnesses and Issues

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) affects one in 3,000 children in Western countries. It is caused by the
mother's heavy drinking during the first twelve weeks (trimester) of pregnancy. Some studies have
shown that even moderate alcohol use during pregnancy may cause learning disabilities in children.
Drug abuse and cigarette smoking during pregnancy have also been linked to mental retardation.

Maternal infections and such illnesses as glandular disorders, rubella, toxoplasmosis, and
cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection may cause mental retardation. When the mother has high blood
pressure (hypertension) or blood poisoning (toxemia), the flow of oxygen to the fetus may be reduced,
causing brain damage and mental retardation.
Birth defects that cause physical deformities of the head, brain, and central nervous system frequently
cause mental retardation. Neural tube defect, for example, is a birth defect in which the neural tube
that forms the spinal cord does not close completely. This defect may cause children to develop an
accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull (hydrocephalus). Hydrocephalus can cause learning
impairment by putting pressure on the brain.

3. Childhood Illnesses and Injuries

Hyperthyroidism, whooping cough, chickenpox, measles, and Hib disease (a bacterial infection) may
cause mental retardation if they are not treated adequately. An infection of the membrane covering the
brain (meningitis) or an inflammation of the brain itself (encephalitis) can cause swelling that in turn
may cause brain damage and mental retardation. Traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or
by violent shaking of the upper body may also cause brain damage and mental retardation in children.

4. Environmental Factors

Ignored or neglected infants who are not provided with the mental and physical stimulation required for
normal development may suffer irreversible learning impairment. Children who live in poverty and
suffer from malnutrition, unhealthy living conditions, abuse, and improper of inadequate medical care
are at a higher risk. Exposure to lead or mercury can also cause mental retardation. Many children have
developed lead poisoning from eating the flaking lead-based paint often found in older buildings.

Intelligence Tests to Measure Learning Abilities and Intellectual Functioning

1. Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale

2. Wechsler Intelligence Scales

3. Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence

4. Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children

Prevention of Mental Retardation

Immunization against diseases such as measles and Hib prevent many of the illnesses that can cause
mental retardation. In addition, all children should undergo routine developmental screening as part of
their pediatric care. Screening is particularly critical for those children who may be neglected or
undernourished or may live in disease-producing conditions. Newborn screening and immediate
treatment for PKU and hyperthyroidism can usually catch these disorders early enough to prevent
retardation.

Good prenatal care can also help prevent retardation. Pregnant women should be educated about the
risks of alcohol consumption and the need to maintain good nutrition during pregnancy. Such tests as
amniocentesis and ultrasonography can determine whether a fetus is developing normally in the womb.
Expected Outcomes:

At the end of this topic, the learners could be able to:

a. Define the concept of criminal behavior and the theories relating to it.

b. Highlight the relationship of human intelligence and criminality.

c. Understand the criminal laws and principles that applies and relates to crime committed without
freedom and without discernment or reason.

d. Assess insanity and criminal law in the Philippines.

A. CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND ITS ELEMENTS

What is Criminal Behavior?

Criminal Behavior refers to a behavior which is criminal in nature, a behavior which violates a law. Thus,
the moment a person violates the law, he has already committed [exhibited] criminal behavior. Criminal
behavior refers to conduct of an offender that leads to and including the commission of an unlawful act.
According to Goldoozian, for human behavior to be considered a crime, three elements are necessary:

1. Legally, the criminal act should be prohibited by law.

2. Materially, the criminal act should be executed or realized.

3. Spiritually, the criminal act should be accompanied by criminal intention or guilt.

These three elements must be present for an act to be labeled as a crime.