This cross-sectional study examined perceived access to services, quality of care, and family impact reported by caregivers of children aged 3-17 years with autism spectrum disorders, as compared to caregivers of children with other developmental disabilities and other mental health conditions. The 2009-2010 National Survey of Children with…

The article excerpts letters of eight parents whose children have cerebral hypotonia, an early symptom of brain damage characterized by a defective muscular condition. The problems which accompany hypotonia (such as feeding problems, retardation, respiratory distress, and seizures) are touched on. (SBH)

Although services for the mentally retarded have grown tremendously in the past decade, many practical problems remain. These problems, which confront either the client and his family or the professional, must be examined carefully if both groups are to work together to provide needed services for the retarded. (Author)

The report focuses on the diet management of infant and preschool children with phenylketonuria (PKU), a congenital deficiency resulting in brain damage. The effective methods for rapidly lowering serum phenylalanine levels following diagnosis are discussed, a method for prescribing and calculating the phenylalanine-restricted diet is described,…

The developmental history of a 14-year-old male with Klinefelter's Syndrome (XXXXY) is described. The boy's physical development was consistent with many patterns described in the XXXXY literature, although his retardation was not as severe as expected from the literature. (Author/DB)

Examined was the occurrence of congenital and neurological abnormalities in 150 children with phenylketonuria (PKU--a metabolic disorder which may result in mental retardation) age 1 year or older, who have been treated with a restricted phenylalanine diet, according to the protocol used in a nation-wide longitudinal collaborative study.…

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, an uncommon but potentially lethal complication of antipsychotic medication, is reviewed, including analysis of 29 cases in which the condition appeared in individuals with mental retardation. Recommendations about reducing morbidity and mortality in this population are offered. (Author/DB)

Thyroid abnormalities were studies in seven boys and three girls, 4- to 17-years-old, with Noonan's syndrome, characterized by mental retardation, ocular anomalies (wide spaced eyes, drooped eye lids, or strabismus), heart lesions, characteristics of Turner's syndrome, and normal karyotypes (chromosome arrangement). (MC)

Case studies of two siblings suffering from a gum disorder in which enlargement of the gingival mucosa is caused by a fibrosis. The disorder in the two children was felt to be an hereditary recessive trait. (CD)

Reported were the cases of two of 25 Ss with Turner's syndrome (usually characterized by dwarfism and sexual infantilism) who were also mentally retarded. (Author/DB)

The paper summarizes characteristics of the child with Prader-Willi Syndrome (characterized by insatiable appetite and usually mild to moderate mental retardation). Suggestions are offered for the environmental and behavioral management of the Prader Willi student. (DB)

Special problems face the physical education instructor in dealing with profoundly mentally retarded students. (JD)