Assessment of Degree of Mental Handicap for Certification

Abstract

Mental retardation and handicap are the two terms used to refer to developmental retardation during the developmental period of child and connote the limited intellectual functioning of permanent nature. For the rehabilitation of the subjects suffering from mental handicap, and to provide them social security, degree of disability or handicap need to be determined. Government of India, Ministry of Welfare (1986) has provided uniform standards for determining disability based on Intelligence Quotient (IO) and degree of mental retardation, as follows. Degree of Mental IQ Disability Handicap (a) Mild 50-70 Less than 40% (b) Moderate 35--49 40% and above (c) Severe 20 -34 75% & above (d) Profound Less than 20 100% Government of India has made provisions for certain benefits to provide social security and stimulating opportunity to the handicapped (IQ 50-70) like fixation of quota for the allotment of industrial plot commercial sites for self-employment, (Directorate Social Welfare, 1989), residential buildings, railway concession, special employment exchanges for employment opportunity (Encyclopaedia of Social work in India, Lele, 1987), provision of pension to those handicappeds who are unable to sustain themselves from their own resources (Haryana Handicapped Persons Pension Rule, 1988), a special assistance for M.R. Child of poor family (Govt. of J & K: 1981), and scholarship to the M.R. children studying in private institutions (Kcrala, 1981).