Retardation

Source of Information: Kids Health

What Is It?

Lower than average intelligence.

What Causes It?

Something injures the brain, or a problem prevents the brain from developing normally.

Some possible causes include…

• Alcohol or drug use during pregnancy


• Certain infections or sickness during pregnancy


• Genetic causes


• Serious infection as a young baby


• Shortage of oxygen during delivery


• Taking certain medications during pregnancy

What Are the Symptoms/Risks?

• Trouble learning


• Take longer to learn social skills


• Less able to care for himself and to live on his own as an adult

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It can be.

Diagnosable at Birth or Latent?

Sometimes diagnosable at birth through a blood test.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Children with mental retardation want to develop their skills to the best of their abilities. They need support from loving families and good friends.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Raising a child with mental retardation takes patience. Thanks to learning “life skills,” many adults with mental retardation are able to have jobs and live independently.

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Seizure Disorder (Epilepsy)

Source of Information: Webmd.com

What Is It?

Condition that causes repeated seizures.

What Causes It?

Less than half of the people who have it know the cause. It can be caused by the following:

• Head injury


• Brain tumor


• Brain infection


• Stroke

What Are the Symptoms/Risks?

• Senses may not work right (strange smells or sounds)


• Lose control of muscles


• Fall down, and body twitches or jerks


• Stare off into space


• Faint (lose consciousness)

Is it Hereditary?

Possibly, but do not need a family history to develop it.

Diagnosable at Birth or Latent?

Latent.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Epilepsy affects each person differently. You can learn to identify the signs that a seizure is about to happen. There are many ways to reduce a child’s risk of injury and still let him live a normal life.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Seizures can be scary, but there are steps that you can take to protect your child.