What mental changes occur, as adults with mental- retardation grow older? Like the general population after age 50, people with mental retardation, who do not have Down syndrome, experience a gradual decline in overall intellectual capacity, a decrease in their speed of recall, and slower general cognitive functioning.

Intellectual disability (ID), once called mental retardation, is characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for day-to-day living. People with intellectual disabilities can and do learn new skills, but they learn them more slowly.

As scientists continue to investigate the brains of people who have mental illnesses, they are learning that mental illness is associated with changes in the brain’s structure, chemistry, and function and that mental illness does indeed have a biological basis.

Results. Kaplan-Meier survival plots showed a strong negative association between severity of intellectual disability and survival, with median life expectancies of 74.0, 67.6, and 58.6 years for people with mild, moderate, and severe lev- els of handicap.

Loony, loony bin, lunatic: All are considered offensive and should not be used except in direct quotes. See mental health entry . Mentally retarded: Always try to specify the type of disability being referenced. Otherwise, the terms mental disability, intellectual disability and developmental disability are acceptable.

That means you cannot legally be fired just because you have one of the following: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; a history of such a disability, or if an employer believes that you have one, even if you don’t; or.

There’s no cure for mental illness, but there are lots of effective treatments. People with mental illnesses can recover and live long and healthy lives.

Is my employer allowed to fire me because I have a mental health condition? No. It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against you simply because you have a mental health condition. This includes firing you, rejecting you for a job or promotion, or forcing you to take leave.