A later look at borderline and mildly retarded preschoolers.

A group of 38 preschool children, first evaluated when 2 to 4 years old, functioning within the borderline or mildly retarded ranges of intelligence, were reevaluated at the ages of 6 or 7 years. It was found that cognitive and linguistic limitations remained fairly stable over time. The most global of the early measures best predicted subsequent attainment, both for children with language skills significantly below performance and for those with more even function. Preschool language deficiencies reflected in a significant discrepancy between verbal and performance abilities in early intelligence testing were not subsequently associated with greater academic difficulties. At the time of reevaluation, receptive understanding of language exceeded expressive competence, and semantic skills were stronger than syntactic abilities.

Developmental, cognitive, and behavioral sequelae of child abuse.

There is growing interest in the neurologic, behavioral, and cognitive effects of child abuse and neglect. This article explores the literature on the short and long term sequelae of physically and sexually abused and neglected children, along with controversies generated by the studies themselves. Recommendations are made for swift and ongoing intervention in cases of child abuse to protect young victims from potentially devastating effects.

The troubled employee. Mentally retarded and learning disabled employees.

Employees who are mentally retarded or learning-disabled are not troubled when there is a good job match and appropriate management. The article covers the nature of these disorders and various issues that concern business and industry in arranging appropriate employment for such individuals.

Age of walking and mental retardation.

The age of independent walking was noted for 200 retarded children aged 30-60 months living in the community. The onset of walking tended to be later in more severely retarded children, but early walkers were found even among the most retarded. The majority of children with mild, moderate, and severe retardation walked by 17 months. Only in the group which was profoundly retarded did the majority begin to walk after 17 months. Onset of walking before 17 months is usual in retarded children and is compatible with all levels of mental retardation.

Educational intervention with multiply handicapped preschool children.

A study was conducted to objectively measure changes in functioning of multiply handicapped children in a specialized nursery school program. The study population consisted of the 18 children who entered the program in the study year. A quantitative teacher rating scale was developed, tested, and found to be reliable. Significant improvements were demonstrated in interaction, communication, and task orientation after 3 months and in self-care after 6 months. There was no measurable change in motor performance, and the intellectual functioning of the children remained in the same diagnostic category as at the outset. The study documented improvement on social competence of multiply handicapped children enrolled in a preschool program with minimal parental involvement. The teacher rating scale was found to be useful in measuring social functioning in a school setting for a young population with a limited range of possible achievements. Teachers proved to be reliable evaluators of their pupils. To measure social and interactional parameters, it appears necessary to have both a standardized instrument and an informed observer who knows the child's daily functioning.

Chronic overeating without obesity in children with developmental disabilities: description of a new syndrome.

Reported excessive eating was examined in children referred for developmental delay to our multidisciplinary diagnostic center and cause hypotheses were generated. Thirteen children were evaluated prospectively using a nutrition assessment, The Eating Behavior Questionnaire, the Achenbach Child Behavior Profile, and their multidisciplinary developmental evaluation. The children ate excessively but were not obese. Commonalities included being in foster care, prenatal drug exposure, and abnormally withdrawn and/or aggressive behavior. Nonobese hyperphagia appears to require emotional and behavioral assessment and dietary management. Hypotheses include prenatal drug exposure and a possible causal association with emotional and behavioral problems.