TREATMENT ISSUES IN GENETIC MENTAL-RETARDATION SYNDROMES

Because of genetic advances and radical shifts in service delivery, ps ychologists in community mental health and social service agencies inc reasingly serve clients with mental retardation syndromes. Persons wit h specific genetic mental retardation syndromes often differ in their behavioral strengths and weaknesses and in their predispositions to ps ychiatric disorders. Although genetic breakthroughs are sparking more research on these so-called behavioral phenotypes, researchers have ye t to systematically translate phenotypic data into guidelines for ther apy and intervention. Using fragile X syndrome, Williams syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome as examples, this article shows how the behavio ral phenotypes of mental retardation syndromes can inform clinical pra ctice.