Fore example, would a retarded person know it, rather they are mildly retarded or severe, autistic, etc?
I am thinking the movie Forrest Gump.
2006-09-09 13:36:53 · 15 answers · asked by ? 6 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I worked with developmentally disabled folks for almost twenty years, e.g., those who the average person would call mentally retarded or challenged. You asked if they realized their disability. Yes, many did and those were the ones who have the best chance of becoming independent people with salaried jobs and a life outside of institutional care/supports.
Mental retardation means SLOW to learn, not that the person cannot learn. Unfortunately, many learn so slowly that they died before they can learn enough to live the average life.
Usually the people with mental retardation that realize they have a disability are those at the mild intellectually level, meaning their IQ is below 70 but above 55. These are individuals who social skills are equivalent to an adolecent. But unlike a person who suddenly finds themselves limited physically or intellectually due to brain damage from trauma or serious illness, the majority of those I enjoyed working with were accepting that they had a label and that was all it was. Each tended to reach toward setting goals in life just like everyone else, i.e., apartment, job, etc.
Forrest Gump may have been mildly impaired, and perhaps more autistic than developmentally disabled. Look at what he accomplished and his goals in life. Just because a person has been diagnosed with autism does NOT mean they have an intellectually limitation. Rather a person who is autistic is impaired in their major social domains/skills which then limit their ability to concentrate and learn.
2006-09-09 14:50:26 · answer #1 · answered by banananose_89117 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I work with special ed kids and I would say it depends on the severity of the handicap. I think some people are so severely mentally handicapped that they aren't aware of a "normal" world, they only know their world. Mild cases I think know but in school anyway they are grouped with others with special education needs so it is not so noticeable and they don't seem to care much about their handicaps.
2006-09-09 14:31:57 · answer #2 · answered by Goldenrain 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That truly depends on the individual and to what extent their disability is. My brother has Cerebral Palsy and though i do not think he knows all the ins and outs of what "Cerebral Palsy" IS...he does know that he is different from other people and he also knows that other people treat him differently than they treat the "general" public. For example, he will ask me "Why don't those people like me?" He was referring to an incident where people were laughing and pointing at him...I think the same would have applied for the man in Forrest Gump. He knew he was different. He may not have understood "why" he was different, but he knew that he was.
2006-09-09 13:47:59 · answer #3 · answered by foreverfriendsjc 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes - I have talked to people who were mildly retarded and they said that they were. My cousin was severely retarded and he used to ask me if he was retarded. So the answer is yes. Autism I have no personal experience with.
2006-09-09 13:42:55 · answer #4 · answered by chris B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Just as a person with a high I.Q knows when their mind isn't doing what they want it to, if there is a deficiency of some sort, like an inability to figure out a problem when normally they figure out many problems.
2006-09-09 13:40:07 · answer #5 · answered by *babydoll* 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those that I have known are aware that they are different - it just depends on the severity of the handicap of whether it bothers them or not.
2006-09-09 13:43:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the handicap, some do, some don't. My brother is handicapped, im not sure if he knows it, but if does, he doesn't act like he cares.
2006-09-09 14:31:55 · answer #7 · answered by Sarah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some are capable; they may not realize it until it's pointed out. Kids with down-syndrome are usually aware as they get older. My little sister has down-syndrome, people tease her at 6 years old and she gets upset. Most are capable of learning and catching on--it just happens slower--ya know?
2006-09-09 13:42:49 · answer #8 · answered by Kimberly M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This depends on their level. If they were mildly, they would be able to notice. If it was severly,they wouldn't notice it at all. Both have a state of mind.
2006-09-09 13:44:51 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Only because of the way society treats them.
2006-09-09 13:55:29 · answer #10 · answered by Kitty L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋