SOCIAL IMPLICATION OF MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN IN AGBARHO COMMUNITY

1.1 Introduction

Mentally Retarded Children are referred to pupils who encounter barriers to their cognitive growth and fail to reach the appropriate developmental stage. Children developmental impairment known as mental retardation first manifests in children younger than eighteen. The reasons of mental retardation remain unclear due to the intricacy of the human body. Children with special disabilities require a different approach to learning based on their unique requirements. Because every student with special needs is unique, teachers must be able to integrate each student's gifts and abilities in a variety of areas, such as thinking, seeing, hearing, and social skills (Setiarani et al., 2018).

This chapter will address the background information that motivated this study, the challenges that prompted it, its aim, and its objectives as a preface to subsequent sections of the study. Additional factors include the study's significance, scope, limitations, research questions and hypotheses, and the definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Over the year, Children suffering from mental impairment encounter several bio-psychosocial issues. Schalock et al.'s (2007) research findings demonstrated the psychological issues these people are dealing with. These include annoyance, a sense of guilt and humiliation, social isolation, unfair treatment, assigning blame, stigma, stereotypes, and discrimination. Additionally, mentally impaired kids are readily harmed by mocking and mockery and are sensitive to rejection (Schalock et al., 2007).

Parents of children with mental impairment also face psychological difficulties as a result of their condition. The parents of intellectually handicapped children get discouraged, angry, and sometimes embarrassed of their offspring. Parents often fail to recognise that a kid with mental retardation has the potential to become an independent member of the family with the right support, encouragement, and care. Raising intellectually impaired children presents parents with material, emotional, social, and financial obstacles (Cherenet et al., 2007).

Studies on the issue are rare in our nation and most of them are biological (neurological) in nature, evaluating other factors, despite the fact that mentally ill children who suffer from it and their families suffer greatly from it as well.

According to Nema (2000), certain mentally retarded children in Ethiopia exhibit adaptive behaviour. The results showed that all of the children had significant deficiencies in their ability to operate independently and in other adaptive behavioural traits before the intervention. They have, however, significantly improved in a number of adaptive behaviour areas, primarily in autonomous functioning, physical development, and social maturity. Overall, the kids' performances demonstrate growth and variations in retardation levels.

Consequently, Cherenet's (2007) research found that some families either reject or hide a member who has mental retardation from them, preventing them from accessing potentially helpful care. In addition, their research revealed that mentally ill people are still imprisoned, shackled, or admitted to filthy, cruel facilities today, as seen by the situation in many parts of the world. Family relationships are impacted by mental retardation; specifically, the relationships between parents, siblings, and mothers are affected.

Byrne (2011) stated that the stigma against mentally retarded individuals comes from both family members and the community at large. He proposed the idea that the "courtesy stigma," or stigma by association, may be applied by the relatives and acquaintances of someone who is mentally retarded. There have been few studies done in our nation, and those that have are mostly biological (neurological) in nature and evaluate many factors, despite the fact that the issue affects mentally ill children and their families as well as the individuals who suffer from it.

Like children without disabilities, those with intellectual disabilities require communication. In order to connect with the environment, communication is necessary. When it comes to mentally challenged children, however, communication demands special care in order for them to adapt to their surroundings, work together with others, and foster understanding with the environment. Mentally retarded children have physical characteristics that affect their speech, such as a large uterus, a narrow nasal cavity, and an imperfect jaw position that causes prominent articulation disorders, making it difficult for them to communicate with others and their surroundings. Effendi (2008) articulated that, mental retardation, memory impairment, mental subnormal, and mental retardation are other names for children with subnormal mental disorders from several references. If someone has such a low IQ that pursuing their developmental activities necessitates special help or services, especially in their educational programme, they are classified as having a subnormal mental disorder or mental retardation.

Therefore, in Agbarho Community where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Social Implication of Mentally Retarded Children.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that mental retardation is an issue that affects people all around the world (Govender, 2002). One in every 33 persons has mental impairment (Aslam et al., 2011). The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 1% of people worldwide suffer from serious, life-threatening mental illnesses, while 10% of people worldwide have some kind of mental handicap (Padgett, 2008).

People who have demonstrated "subnormal" intellectual functioning have existed throughout history, in all countries, and in all social classes. According to Coleman, quoted in Goswami (2013), many of these people lack the skills necessary to handle their affairs after completing a regular education and are unable to support themselves in the community. Based on the aforementioned findings, we believe that mental retardation is a worldwide issue among children.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the Social Implication of Mentally Retarded Children in Agbarho Community. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To assess the perception of mentally retarded children families towards their mentally retarded children;
2. To identify the way the families of the mentally retarded children respond to the needs of their children;
3. To investigate the impact of psycho-social issues among mentally retarded children in the area under study;
4. To identify the challenges encountered among mentally retarded children; and
5. To suggest the mechanisms that should be taken to reduce psychosocial problems faced by mentally retarded children.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Are there challenges encountered among mentally retarded children?
• How do parents of mentally retarded children respond to the needs of their children?
• How does parents in the study area perceive towards their mentally retarded children?
• What is the impact of psycho-social issues among mentally retarded children in the area under study?
• What are the mechanisms that should be taken to reduce psychosocial problems faced by mentally retarded children?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There are no significant challenges encountered among mentally retarded children in the area under review
• H1: There are significant challenges encountered among mentally retarded children in the area under review

1.7 Significance of Study

The outcome of this research findings will be beneficial to educators, mental health professionals working in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, psychologists, and others. They provide information about the psychosocial issues that mentally retarded children face. Additionally, the families of the children will benefit from this study by being able to treat their children appropriately and get a scientific understanding of mental impairment.

Furthermore, the government and nonprofit organizations are also given insight into the significance of creating potential intervention programmes for mentally retarded individuals, and the center's staff is able to recognise the discrepancy between the goal and its execution. Encourage organizations that are concerned to focus on the issues and actively participate in the delivery of services.

Finally, researchers will greatly benefit from this study, and non-researchers might utilize it to further their own research endeavours. This work advances knowledge and may function as a model for future research.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Social Implication of Mentally Retarded Children in Agbarho Community of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:

1. Time Constraint:The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research Material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
4. Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.

1.10 Definition of Terms

Mentally Retarded Children (MRC):

They are children who encounter barriers to their cognitive growth and fail to reach the appropriate developmental stage.

Physically Challenged:

It is the limitation on a person’s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina, other physical disabilities include impairments which limit other facets of daily living, such as respiratory disorders, blindness, sleep disorders and epilepsy.

Children:

Biologically, a child (plural: children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty. The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority.

Health:

Health is the level of functional and metabolic efficiency of a living organism. In humans it is the ability of individuals or communities to adapt and self-manage when facing physical, mental, psychological and social changes with environment.