Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children, Adolescents, and Adults With Mental Retardation and Comorbid Mental Disorders

Mental retardation (MR) is a heterogeneous condition defined by significantly sUbaverage intellectual and adaptive functioning and onsetbeforeage 18 years.Withan approach underscored hy principlesof normalization and the availability of appropriate education and habilitation, personswith MR generallylive,are educated, and work in the community. Mental disorders occur morecommonlyin personswith MR than in the generalpopulation. However, the disordersthemselves are essentially the same.Clinicalpresentations canbe modified by poor languageskillsandby lifecircumstances, so a diagnosis might hinge more heavilyon observable behavioral symptoms. The diagnosticassessment considers and synthesizes the biological, psychological, and psychosocial context of mental disorders. Comprehensive treatment integrating various approaches, including familycounseling, pharmacological, educational, habilitative, andmilieuinterventions is the rule.J.Am. Acad.ChildAdo/esc.Psychiatry, 1999,38(12Supplement):SS-31 S.