ABSTRACT
This article reviews selective comments on the concept of Mental Retardation (MR) in adolescents. Issues covered include the definition, prevalence, and differential diagnosis of MR. Some of the syndromes and disorders associated with MR in the adolescents are also considered with emphasis on the behavioral concerns that may be present in this age group. Finally, concepts of management by the clinician are reviewed. It is recommended that health care professionals caring for adolescents with MR should help these youths maximize their potential as human beings, helping them achieve meaningful functioning in adulthood.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Autistic Disorder/complications , Cerebral Palsy/complications , Child , Depression/etiology , Diagnosis, Differential , Down Syndrome/complications , Education of Intellectually Disabled , Female , Fragile X Syndrome/complications , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Intelligence Tests , Male , Intellectual Disability/complications , Prader-Willi Syndrome/complications , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Williams Syndrome/complicationsABSTRACT
Psychosocial and mental health problems are quite prevalent among adolescent worldwide, some data reporting up to 20% of adolescents having such problems. A number of risk factors, familial, individual and societal, have been indentified as contributing to these problems in adolescents. There are also many factors, such as family and societal connectedness, that protect adolescents from engaging in health risk behaviors that lead to psychosocial and mental health problems. A careful psychosocial assessment should be an essential part of adolescent health care. This paper provides a brief review of the principles of psychosocial assessment of adolescents.