title: Family-centered/interdisciplinary team approach to working with families of children who have mental retardation.
abstract: Working with children who have mental retardation and their families is challenging and rewarding. When these children also have behavioral/psychiatric problems, the challenge is far greater. An interdisciplinary team is needed for comprehensive assessment, treatment, and management in order to be successful in accomplishing goals, providing continuity of care, and supporting the family in the community. In this paper we focused on the interdisciplinary team concept blended with the family-centered approach in a psychiatric setting and provided a case study of a family who had a child diagnosed with mental retardation, autism, and severe behavior problems. Practical suggestions were given to demonstrate the implementation of a family-centered/interdisciplinary team approach.
authors.affiliation: John Merck Multiple Disabilities Program, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lubetsky
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Len
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012944:Social Support