Almost 600,000 infants are bom to teenage mothers each year. These teenage mothers and their infants are at multiple risk to impaired birth and growth—physically, socially, and cognitively. This article reviews some of the more relevant research on the problem of teenage pregnancy, the special educational needs of the infants of these teenage mothers, and the current intervention programs for teenage mothers and infants. Recent research demonstrates that intervention programs for teenage mothers and infants can have an impact on infant mortality, morbidity, and prematurity as well as on the infant's social and cognitive development. In addition, these programs can have an impact on the mother's graduation from high school, employment, repeat pregnancies, and parenting skills. Enhancing parenting skills has been found to affect children's cognitive development. It would seem wise for society to invest more money and effort into preventing untoward pregnancies, preventing birth deficits, and enhancing and supporting parenting skills. Preventable special education placements could be avoided.
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