Social Aspects of Medical Care for the Mentally Retarded

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Abstract
Effective clinical management of mental retardation requires an understanding of the varied and complex social issues associated with this disabling condition. Included in these are the family's sense of rejection, their potential social isolation and their actual anxiety about caring for the child's unusual health needs. Through his professional concern for the child, his relation with the family and his standing in the community, the physician can play a key part in ameliorating these stresses, particularly if he can work with the family as Cooperative equals and is familiar with supportive community resources. In this role he helps to maintain the mental, social and physical health of the entire family, which is atrisk when there is a retarded member in its midst. Since many of the issues discussed apply to other types of disability, mental retardation provides a model for chronic illness in general.

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