ASSESSMENT OF MENTAL RETARDATION : NEED FOR NEWER APPROACHES*

Mental retardation is a complex, multifaceted condition. It is not a simple condition based primarily on intellectual capacities. Assessment of a retarded child should not be limited to intellectual functioning alone. It should give an idea of the individual′s strength and weaknesses globally. Unfortunately, in India, assessment of mental retardation is still primarily based on intelligence tests. There is a need to understand the limitations of such an approach.