Mental retardation/ Deficiency (MR) affects 1-3 per cent of the population. WHO, defines MR as intellectual function significantly lower than average, with an intelligence quotient (IQ) equal to or less than 70, and poor adaptive skills in at least two of the following areas: communication, self care, social/interpersonal skills, self-guidance, school performance, work, leisure, health and safety, with the onset of symptoms before the age of 18 yr. The presently limited scope of rehabilitation in the management of MR, with utilization of rehabilitation as mainly a conventional measure, reflects a missed opportunity on overall well being of the person with mental retardation for this complex condition need of the hour is to develop a holistic rehabilitation method by implementing the complimentary systems in to the traditional rehabilitation system.
