ABSTRACT
Individuals with genetic disorders demonstrate an increased vulnerability for developing complex, difficult, and challenging behaviors as well as frank psychiatric illness (1-5). Although actual prevalence estimates vary across studies, it is generally accepted that mental retardation, emotional, behavioral, and psychiatric disorders are three to four times commoner in those with genetic abnormalities compared with the general public (6-8). Furthermore, neuropsychiatric concerns are not limited to those genetic disorders with mental retardation. Learning disabilities and increased behavior, emotional and interpersonal difficulties are documented in a
wide range of disorders such as Turner syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and Tourette syndrome (9-12). For many, the consequences of such disorders are severer than in other populations as they can seriously disrupt, and even prevent, those affected from being included in family and community life. Moreover, the burden these disorders impose on both family and professional care-providers significantly extends the morbidity impact.
