title: Prevention of developmental disabilities: a model for organizing clinical activities.
abstract: Prevention of developmental disabilities receives widespread support, however, a comprehensive approach involving federal and local governments, major professional groups, and the general public has yet to be defined and implemented. Three major issues appear to impede a coordinated approach: (a) prevention's image problem; (b) the complexity surrounding prevention efforts; and (c) the absence of consistent evaluation methods. The University of California, Irvine-University Affiliated Program has developed a model for prevention activities in response to these issues. This model is interdisciplinary, promotes reasoned cooperative efforts, and provides a basis for evaluation and research. This paradigm can be helpful to policy makers in prioritizing prevention activities. The model is composed of five major and functional approaches to prevention with a central core devoted to ethical considerations. The model emphasizes the variety, scope and interdisciplinary nature of prevention/intervention activities, as well as the necessity for a longitudinal approach.
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D003376:Counseling; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004989:Ethics; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control; D010661:Phenylketonurias / Q000178:diet therapy; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins