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Mental Retardation

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Part of the book series: The Springer Series in Adult Development and Aging ((SSAD))

Abstract

Mental retardation is a condition characterized by impaired or below average cognitive functioning, concurrent deficits in adaptive abilities and manifested before the age of 18 (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). The diagnosis is usually based on the results of an individually administered test of cognitive abilities (IQ test) and an assessment of adaptive behavior. Within the condition of mental retardation, four levels of severity have been described (APA, 1994). Each of these categories is noted below.

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© 1996 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Matson, J.L., LeBlanc, L.A. (1996). Mental Retardation. In: Hersen, M., Van Hasselt, V.B. (eds) Psychological Treatment of Older Adults. The Springer Series in Adult Development and Aging. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0295-5_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0295-5_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-0297-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-0295-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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