Mental Retardation is not mental illness. It is a handicapping condition like blindness, deafness etc. It is defined as sub average general intelligence, manifesting during early developmental period. Intelligence comprises of memory, recognition, reasoning, verbal facility, motor competence and creativity. Impairment in the parts of the brain which are responsible for the above leads to mental retardation. Individuals with mental retardation have problem in learning. Learning is the most important skill for us to adapt in our environment. Individuals with mental retardation are unable to adapt well in their environment. They need special training to learn to adapt. Signs and symptoms