What Is Mental Handicap?

Mental handicap or mental defect can be defined as inadequate mental development resulting in capacity for independent social and intellectual adaptation in everyday life.  There are many causes for this handicap which can be classified into the following groups:

1. Genetically determined, e.g, Down's syndrome.
2. Antenatal infection, e.g., rubella or syphilis.
3. Birth injury.
4. Post natal, e.g., encephalitis, cerebral infection, trauma.

Mental handicap may also be associated with other handicaps, e.g., cerebral palsy or the child with hydrocephalus and myelomeningecele.

Only a few types of mental handicap are obvious at birth, such as Down's syndrome or microcephaly, whilst with others the condition may be unsuspected for several months.  The first indication of this handicap in the young child is usually noticed in a delay by the child to reach the normal milestones in sitting, standing, and walking; speech too is delayed.  The child often appears placid and 'good' or conversely may appear hyperactive, restless and difficult to feed.  Occasionally the handicap is only recognized when the child starts school and has difficulty in learning.  

It is important to recognize that many children; because of their handicap or social background, may require admission into care where specialist expertise will provide an environment which will give the child the opportunity to learn social skills and to be cared for.