ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to determine the challenges Faced by lvfentally Retarded in an Inclusive Setting in lvfukuru Slums Viwanda Zone lvfakadara division, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were; to investigate the challenges faced by children with mental retardation in an inclusive setting, to determine the causes of mental retardation and to identify the advantages (Jf inclusive learning for children with mental retardation. The methods used for data collection were questionnaires to the teachers, interview with the pupils and focus group discussion with the community members. The study revealed that mentally retarded children they face a problem of negative attitude from the normal pupils and the teachers, they are not ji-ee in an inclusive setting, they lack learning materials, they are faced with a big class size and the curriculum does not favor mentally retarded learners T71e s/udy revealed that environmental Jae/ors like lack of early exposure to intellectually stimulating experiences, inadequate health care, adverse living conditions and nutritional problems cause mental retardation. It was also revealed that prenatal factors cause's menial relardation. These include initial infection during pregnancy. It was also revealed thal mental retardation may also result ji-om factors occurring pas/natal. These include infections, such as meningitis and encephalitis, intoxicants. The study revealed !hat mental retardation may be caused by genetic factors and brain damage, cullural factors and bad spirits. The study revealed thal revealed that in an inclusive setting; menially re/arded children have an opportunity to interact and socialize with the normal pupils. They also learn a lot of things and new events ji-om their peers (normal pupilo). The study revealed !hat in an inclusive selling, pupils learn how to behave in the same way as normal pupils. They also some how gel encouraged that they can make ii as normal pupils since !hey all sit in the same class. The government should build infrastructure Iha/ is conducive/or pupils wilh disabilities so !hat they _fit in an inclusive setting. More teachers should be trained in the areas of special needs education so Iha! !hey gain necessary knowledge and skills to handle and care for children with disabilities. A curriculum should be adopled to suit the opecial needy of learners. Teachers should be sensilized abou/ !he .1pecial needs education more especially those in integrated schools.