What is Mental Age?

To better understand how mental age works, let’s look at the story of Alex, a 10-year-old boy with Down syndrome.

• Chronological age: Alex is 10 years old, which means he has been alive for a decade.
• Developmental milestones: However, Alex’s cognitive abilities are more similar to those of a 6-year-old. He needs help with tasks that most 10-year-olds can easily handle, such as reading complex sentences or solving multi-step math problems.
• Mental age assessment: After undergoing a standardized intelligence test, Alex’s mental age is determined to be 6 years old. This means that his cognitive development is approximately four years behind his chronological age.

By gaining a clear understanding of Alex’s mental age, his parents and teachers are empowered to tailor their expectations and provide the precise support he needs to thrive.