Genetics and Mental Retardation Syndromes: A New Look at Behavior and Interventions

New genetic causes of mental retardation are being discovered at rapid rates—every day more people are diagnosed with specific syndromes. This comprehensive and timely guide identifies characteristics of people who have these syndromes to help you understand their behaviors and their needs, so you'll be able to provide better interventions and create wider community inclusion.

You'll get easy-to-read, detailed discussions of four major syndromes—Down, Williams, fragile X, and Prader-Willi—on genetic causes and implications, prevalence, basic physical characteristics, cognitive profiles, speech and language, medical complications, and behaviors. Research-based intervention strategies are explained to help you with education, personal relationships, employment, and residential issues. Five other, less researched syndromes—velocardiofacial, Rubinstein-Taybi, Angelman, Smith-Magenis, and 5p- (cri du chat) are also featured, giving you in-depth information you won't find elsewhere.