|
Mental retardated child have specific feature such
as learning disabilities, poor memory,
hyperactivity, short span of attention, poor
concentration, impulsiveness, disturbed sleep,
emotional instability. Children's also have defects
in vision, speech and hearing, musculo-skeletal
system found in mentally handicapped children's.
Prevention of mental Retardation:
- For prevention genetic counseling should be
given. Risk of mental retardation is high in
case of consanguinous marriages. In genetic
counseling parents should be informed about
possibility of prenatal diagnosis. Mothers older
than 35 years should have antenatal screening
for down's syndrome.
- In first trimester of pregnancy rubella
vaccine should be encouraged in girls to prevent
teratogenic hazards of rubella.
- Teratogenic drugs, hormones, iodides and
antithyroid drugs should be avoided during
pregnancy. Mother should be protected from
contact with patients suffering from viral
disease.
- During labor, good supervision is essential
to prevent occurrence of birth injuries .
- Any infection such as neonatal infection
especially of the nervous system should be
diagnosed early. Hyperbilirubinemia should be
managed by phototherapy .Iron deficiency should
be avoided in early infancy. Pertusis vaccine
should not be given to children with progressive
neurological disease.
In case of mental retardated child ,the parents
should be counsel together. What is exact problem?
and diagnosis of the child should be fully explained
to them. In such case parental feeling and home
situation should be discussed. for such child
institutionalization should be avoided. For proper
care educate mothers and families in caring for the
handicapped.
Psychologically mentally handicapped child need
warmth, love and appreciation as well as discipline.
Minimal criticism and high appreciation with short
term goal objectives, structuring of learning
activities, which lead progressively from each step
with meaning activity are necessary.
|
