Martin is now 17 years of age and his IQ scores have been steadily declining for the past several years and he has been losing important skills. His most recent IQ score is 55. As you think about whether to diagnose Martin with mental retardation, you remind yourself that this is an unusual case because

Question

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Mental retardation, also known as intellectual disability, is typically a lifelong condition that is present from an early age and is characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. It does not usually involve the loss of skills or a notable change in condition, as described in option C. Therefore, Martin's case is unusual and requires careful evaluation to determine the cause of his declining cognitive abilities. Option A is incorrect because an IQ score below the cutoff of 70 is not the only criterion for a diagnosis of mental retardation. Option B is incorrect because age is not the primary factor in making a diagnosis of mental retardation. Option D is incorrect because IQ scores are a valid and reliable measure of intellectual functioning in individuals with mental retardation, although they should be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical assessments.

Martin Is Now 17 Years of Age and His IQ