Mental Retardation - Prevention

PRIMARY PREVENTIONthese findings.
Any preventive approach must begin with publicSECONDARY PREVENTION
education. The public must be taught that mentalAt this level there must be early identification and
retardation is a handicap that can be studied, treated,treatment of hereditary disorders. In some of the
and helped. People must know that retarded personsmetabolic disorders, such as PKU, early identification
have feelings and emotions and the need forand dietary control are crucial to prevent severe
belonging, like the rest of us.retardation. Medical and surgical treatment of other
Socioeconomic standards must improve. Malnutrition,conditions is needed. Reduction of the effects of
prematurity, and other conditions that seem relatedhydrocephaly is but one example. Immunizations and
to the disadvantaged and that give rise toprompt medical treatment can reduce effects of
retardation must be changed. Raising of livingvarious diseases or traumas that might lead to
standards, vocational training, and education are allretardation.
necessary.Identifying the mentally retarded child and building
Medical measures, such as detection of Rh and otherpositive home situations to reduce emotional and
blood incompatibilities, restricting the number ofbehavioral disturbances, handicapping situations, and
pregnancies in adolescence and after the age of 40cultural deprivation are important. Enhancing a
to reduce chromosomal aberrations, and control ofretarded child's self-image and providing help for the
diet would reduce the number of reproductiveparents would reduce the possibilities of stigma.
casualties. Preventive measures in obstetrics andTERTIARY PREVENTION
pediatrics would further reduce retardation associatedDirect treatment of the retarded individual is
with birth and neonatal difficulties.indicated. Treatment of the behavioral and personality
Genetic counseling to reduce the possibility ofdifficulties through therapy, schooling, or
recessive traits is needed. Although this is ainstitutionalization is required. Behavior modification has
complicated procedure, the known facts andproven effective in many cases. Counseling the
uncertainties must be presented to the parents.parents in both management and acceptance can
They must know the chances and decide what to doreduce much guilt and anxiety. Vocational and physical
in the presence of any particular set of odds.rehabilitation combined with special education can
Amniocentesis, the study of the amniotic fluid duringmeet the direct needs of the retarded individuals for
pregnancy, can reveal genetic defects. Therapeuticself-sufficiency and self-respect.
abortions have gained wide acceptance based on