Psychological Characteristics of the Development of Written Language in Mentally Retarded School Children

The problem of the development of language in the mentally retarded child is one of the most important in special psychology and is of major theoretical and practical significance. How far we go in studying this problem will in large measure determine not only the structure of lessons in a native language in a remedial school but also how the process of instruction and education of backward children in general is organized.     

130例智力低下儿童脆性X检测报告

本文采用脆性 X检测技术对130例先天性智力低下儿童进行了细胞遗传学研究,结果共发现27例具有染色体异常。其中t(5;15)及t(8;12),inv(9)两例核型,经鉴定为世界首报核型;检出5例脆性X综合征,检出率为3.77%,占异常核型的18.5%。 Abstract:The cytogenetic study was made on 130 mentally retarded children with the technique of Fra(X) detection.Among the 27 mentally retarded children with chromosomal abnormalities found in the study,the two karyotypes of t (5;15) and t (8;21),inv(9) were first reported in the literature.of the 130 mentally retarded cases,5 had fragile (X) syndrome (3.77%).The syndrome accounted for 18.5% in the abnormal karyotypes.     

MLPA Subtelomere Analysis in Tunisian Mentally Retarded Patients

Subtelomeric rearrangements significantly contribute to idiopathic mental retardation and result in several mental retardation syndromes; however, most subtelomeric defects lack a characteristic phenotype. Thirty patients with unexplained mental retardation, a normal R banded karyotype at the 550 band, and no clinically recognizable syndrome were screened by Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Four anomalies were identified: deletion 17q, duplications (4q), and associated duplications 15q and Xq. This duplication was found in two sisters of the proband. Anomalies were unidentified by the conventional technique. The prevalence of subtelomeric imbalances in our cohort of moderate to severe mental retardation is around 13% and is consistent with the literature. The sensitivity of the MLPA technique was characterized on cytogenetically verified positive and negative controls. MLPA is a fast, reliable, and relatively inexpensive technique to detect subtelomeric rearrangement in comparison with the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique.     

Low Prevalence of Hepatitis B Infections Among Residents of an Institution for the Mentally Retarded in New Mexico

Residential institutions for the mentally retarded are considered high-risk settings for hepatitis B (HB) infection. Accordingly, HB vaccine is recommended for susceptible clients and selected staff of such facilities. However, a serologic screening program among 364 residents of Los Lunas Hospital and Training School (LLHTS) in New Mexico found only 11 residents to be anti-HBc positive (3%) and only one of these residents was also HBsAg-positive (0.3%). The unexpectedly low prevalence of HB infections at LLHTS probably reflects infrequent HB introductions into the institution. Using these serologic data, a vaccination program was instituted to prevent HB infection among LLHTS residents, thereby eliminating the need for mass screening and HB vaccination of LLHTS employees. Serologic screening among residents of other smaller institutions for the mentally retarded is recommended before design of HB prevention programs for clients and staff.     

The Mentally Retarded Infant — Is Placement Feasible?

A 1968 questionnaire about placement resources for mentally retarded infants that was sent to public agencies in all 58 California counties showed:• Resources for counseling, placement, and financial aid for out-of-home placement are not uniformly available to all groups within the population.• Financial help with out-of-home placement of a member of a family that is not medically indigent may be available in less than one-fourth of the counties of the state.• Knowledge of resources is often inadequate. A family could be referred inappropriately from one agency to another.     

Counseling Parents of Retarded Children

Recently pediatricians have become more interested in the retarded child and his family and have come to realize that they have been ill-prepared to face the many problems that continually arise. A basic understanding of the role of parents and their aspirations, coupled with a knowledge of interviewing, techniques will enable them to face these problems with greater assurance. In addition, a knowledge of the community facilities and resources is necessary. This will entail direct contact with schools, parent groups, state hospitals for the retarded as well as state and local agencies which deal with the retarded.     

Eye Defects of Mentally Handicapped Children

Among 171 children who received routine ophthalmic and orthoptic examinations as part of their evaluation for suspected or known developmental handicap it was found that there was an unusually high incidence of ocular defects. Especially prevalent were high refractive errors (52%) and squints (40%), but there were also a number of other serious eye defects ranging from nystagmus and cataracts to microphthalmos.Because of this high incidence of eye defects it was considered essential that ophthalmic and orthoptic examinations should be part of the routine evaluation of developmentally handicapped children by the team of workers in an assessment centre.     

Observations on Accommodation for the Mentally Retarded in the Province of Ontario

Mentally retarded subjects occupy 8629 beds, a supply rate of 138 beds per 100,000 population. At this rate, and without overcrowding, another 2500 beds will be required by 1972, if the present rate of population increase is maintained. England has a lower rate of supply, but nevertheless the demand for beds, judging by waiting lists and waiting time, is greater in Ontario. A number of factors determining demand, such as family size, public attitude, professional advice and economic factors, may differ in the two communities. Two important differences are the more adequate community service and the availability of short-term care in England, which may reduce demand for permanent care. Since policy in developing community services may influence demand for accommodation, planning should take account of this. Planning well ahead is particularly important for a rapidly expanding population.