how do you know if being mentally challenged is a history of the family background or not?

Question

is there an child psychiatrist on line
or how do you ask or email to

Answer 1

Your question is not clearly worded. Are you asking if there is a way to determine whether or not a particular disability is genetically determined? In many cases, there are specific genes linked to particular disabilities, so there could be a family history of that particular kind of disability.

Intelligence as a whole is more generally determined by heredity as well. Children most often have IQs that are in the same range as their parents'.

Another huge part of family history is environmental. Families that provide the support and stimulation that young children need for optimal cognitive development tend to have brighter children, while families that don't play with their babies and read to their little ones stunt their ability to learn. This kind of problem tends to be generational; if we don't get a good example of parenting from our own parents, we won't do well in raising our own kids, either.

I don't think you will find any definitive answer to your question on line. Are you asking about yourself, or about someone else? If it is about someone else, no health professional would answer you, because that would be confidential information. If you are concerned about yourself, you could make an appointment with a genetic counselor, who can help you find out if you have an increased likelihood of having children with specific disabilities.

I hope this helps. If not, try asking your question again with more specific information.

Answer 2

Every case is different. There are different reasons for an individual to be mentally challenged. Even within these reasons it is hard to know. For example, a person with Down's Syndrome can have it because it is genetic or for no known reason.

You could investigate your own family history by asking relatives questions like whether someone was slow, couldn't get through school, or had to be hospitalized.

Answer 3

I'd suggest you start by talking to a family doctor.

Often there is no family history at all, but sometimes there is a family history. It often depends upon the type of disorder - sometimes there is a genetic connection. However, sometimes things happen for no particular reason. It is impossible to even guess without more information, but talk to someone in your area who should be able to point you in the right direction - doctor, nurse, school counselor, etc. Take care.

Answer 4

I have a mentally challenged brother. His illness was caused through an accident at birth. Some people have a genetic predisposition to mental instability or illness. Some folks have unfortunately been mis-diagnosed as wee children and have been held back from intellectual growth in institutions.

Answer 5

Normally if it is in the family an older family member would have been diagnosed with some sort of disorder. Maybe this site will help I am not too sure.
http://www.pediatricneurology.com/devel.htm

Answer 6

by looking up your family history