This article examines the clinical aspects of etiology-related behaviors in young children with genetic mental retardation syndromes. Discussion of the concept of behavioral phenotype leads to consideration of how interventionists can best provide more focused and more effective interventions for children with different genetic disorders and…

Etiology-specific profiles of intellectual abilities were compared in 30 males (ages 6-12) with fragile X syndrome, Down's syndrome, or nonspecific mental retardation using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children. All three groups scored lower on sequential processing than on simultaneous processing or achievement, and etiology-specific…

Different genetic disorders predispose individuals to display specific, etiology-related profiles, personalities, and maladaptive behaviors. Using groups with genetic etiologies as stand-ins or proxies for a specific behavior or set of behaviors, one can then examine how others in the child's environment react and whether such reactions are…

Open-ended questions of college students (N=60) indicated students clearly differentiated between the mentally retarded and mentally ill. Mental retardation was characterized by physical stigmata, brain damage, developmental delays, and cognitive deficits; mental illness by emotional lability due to environmental, hereditary, or mixed factors.…

A study examined how their child's type of mental retardation and educational placement affected 32 mothers of children with Prader-Willi syndrome and 32 mothers of children with Down syndrome. Both groups were satisfied with current placements; however, parents of students with Down syndrome were more likely to choose an inclusive placement.…

This article reviews recent advances in the "new genetics" and shows how such advances affect special education. Focusing on Williams, Fragile X, Prader-Willi, and Down syndromes, it notes how etiology-related cognitive-linguistic profiles and propensities to distinct personalities and behavior problems point the way to specific,…

This article examines the status of behavioral research on genetic mental retardation syndromes and finds that the field continues to struggle with three methodological issues: (1) how to think about control or contrast groups, (2) the interplay of behavioral phenotypes with development and other within-group variations, and (3) the efficacy of…

A study examined the degree to which parents are informed about syndrome-based behaviors in children with Down syndrome (n=21), Prader-Willi syndrome (n=25), and Williams syndrome (n=21). Parents were informed about blatant behavioral features, especially maladaptive behaviors, but were less informed about certain subtle syndrome-based cognitive…

This survey of nine journals identified two distinct cultures in mental retardation research: classification by level of retardation (usually by psychologists and special educators) or etiology (usually by geneticists and psychiatric researchers). The paper discusses varied effects that genetic etiology may have on behavior, issues in reconciling…