Patient's question:
My son is 6 years old. He has delayed language development, weak practice ability, and can understand but cannot use rich language expressions; he can only engage in simple conversations. Tutoring is ineffective. He dislikes walking and has excessive movements; he does not follow instructions. Is mental retardation a sign of idiocy? Can it be cured?Doctor's answer:
If the baby shows delayed responsiveness and poor limb coordination, or if there was a history of choking and breathing difficulties during infancy leading to brain disease, it should be considered whether the condition is cerebral palsy or intellectual disability. Delayed language development, poor practice ability, normal hearing, poor language expression, inattention during tutoring, hyperactivity—these may indicate mental retardation, and the likelihood of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children is high. The baby's intellectual and physical development is lagging, so it is necessary to revisit the pediatric department of the hospital for a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis and early treatment. Early intervention is beneficial for recovery.