Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities: A Survey of Their Problems and Their Management

Abstract

Adolescents with developmental disabilities deserve the same sophisticated multidisciplinary evaluation which is now available to younger children. Most of these fit into one of four groups—low normal IQ with poor performance because of psychologic problems, true learning disability, neuromuscular disease, or known mental retardation in need of planning for future care. It is important for the physician dealing with these adolescents to recognize and be ready to deal with the high incidence of emotional problems. He must be able to relate to the adolescents as the primary subject, and to arrange special education, vocational evaluation, and legal counseling. The physician must cultivate professional relationships with a wide range of disciplines since his adolescent patient is likely to need a wide variety of services.