This only increases the child's problems. Mental Retardation is a delay or slowness in a child's mental development. The child learns things more slowly than other children of his age . He may be late at beginning to move, smile, show interest in things, use his hands, sit, walk, speak and understand. Or he may develop some of these skills quickly, but be slow in others.
Mental retardation ranges from mild to severe.
The child who is mildly retarded takes longer to learn certain skills. But with help he can grow up to care for himself and take an active, responsible part in the community. The child, who is severely retarded , as he grows older, may stay at the mental age of a baby or young child. He will always need to be cared for in some ways. Mental retardation cannot be cured.