Presented for vocational counselors is an overview of mental retardation, including the definition, and etiology. Described are the prenatal factors of heredity (including familial retardation and cranial anomalies), infections (including syphilis and encephalitis), radiation, blood group incompatibility, and unknown or variable etiological…

This progress report is based on seven years of basic research in maternal health, child health and human development. Topics include: The Beginning of Life: Prenatal Development; Early Prevention, Detection, and Therapy of Congenital, Structural and Metabolic Defects; Problems of Birth and Postnatal Adaptation; Child Development: Normal and…

Assesses the effects of gestational age, race, and sex on neurobehavorial responses of 510 singleton infants who were evaluated at term conceptual age using a modified Prechtl Neurologic Examination. Results suggest that gestational age at birth is the most influential variable; race is also important, but gender has minimum impact. (Author/CB)

Using a case study as illustrative material, the author argues that the linguistic growth of the child unfolds as a function of the interaction of several factors: Those that spring from within the child himself; those related to prenatal, natal, and post-natal events; and those that impinge on him from the environment. (Author/JM)

Identifies stages in a child's life (particularly low-income children) at which he might be "disadvantaged" or "advantaged" in relation to certain influences in his life at that time, and argues that the child experiences the most critical influences before the school receives him.

A presentation of findings of the author's extensive research into the original studies on which some American social scientists have based writings which at least question whether environment has any effect on IQ test scores--suggesting that heredity may be the determinant. (Author/JM)

Deals with pre and post-natal malnutrition and its possible influence on the child, focusing on these points: How wide-spread and severe is the malnutrition? What might be the effects of the malnutrition at certain critical points in development? (Author/JM)

Psychological and educational correlates of prematurity in children during four periods, the last at 7 years of age, were assessed as part of a prospective longitudinal study of 241 infants classified by birth weight, gestational age, and sex to determine later functioning in school. (Author/MC)

Argues that William Shockley's position lends itself to racist interpretations which promote prejudice and provide elitist teachers and administrators with another excuse for failing to teach black children. (Author/JM)

A discussion of the symptoms, characteristics, and causes of minimal brain damage. (MB)

Discusses fully necessity for parent, community education concerning birth defects; need for proper prenatal care as possible means of prevention, flexible services for handicapped children with focus on child, not handicap. (CJ)

Pregnant women, especially those working in veterinary medicine, face occupational health/disease risks from mutagens, teratogens, and carcinogens. These hazards can be placed into three categories: physical, chemical, and biological. Each of these hazards is discussed with examples. (Author/JN)

A multiple regression analysis studied additive effects of maternal age and prenatal and perinatal factors in relation to neonatal behavior. Analysis indicated that the combination of biomedical variables significantly predicted neonatal behavior, in both cultures (Florida and Puerto Rico), suggesting that age effects increased in the presence of…

Reviews significant recent research and information related to the beginning period of human life, and specifically discusses the developing fetus and infant, and the surrounding environment in which the infant is born and reared. Suggestions for prevention of mental-health problems are offered. (Author/DB)