Recognizing Mental Retardation Early: Detection and Intervention Strategies

Abstract

This research confirms that although individuals with intellectual disabilities face significant
challenges, they still have developmental potential that can be enhanced through appropriate support
and intervention. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions on a child with
intellectual disabilities who is following a therapy program at the Insan Cemerlang Duri Foundation.
The writer used an experiment with a single-subject design (Single Case Experimental Design), which
allows for in-depth observation of changes in the subject's behavior before and after treatment. The
subject of the study was "DZ", a 15year old boy with limitations in intellectual and communication
abilities. Result Showed that DZ was still very dependent on parental assistance in daily activities,
but began to show an understanding of simple instructions that were often repeated. The interventions
provided focused on basic skills training and improving functional communication. The implications
of this research are the importance of an inclusive environment, family involvement, and the use of
individual experimental designs in developing interventions that are responsive to the unique needs
of children