title: Children with Usher syndrome: mental and behavioral disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mental and behavioral disorders among adults with Usher syndrome have been discussed and reported in some case studies but no research has been reported on children with Usher syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article investigates the prevalence and characteristics of mental and behavioral disorders among 26 children, 3-17 years of age, with Usher syndrome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six of the 26 children were diagnosed with a mental or behavioral disorder (1 with schizophrenia and mild mental retardation, 1 with atypical autism and severe mental retardation, 1 with atypical autism and mild mental retardation, 1 with mild mental retardation, and 2 with conduct disorder). Another 3 children had had a mental or behavioral disorder previously in their childhood.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even though vision impairment first manifests in late childhood, some children with Usher syndrome seem to develop mental and behavioral disorders during childhood. The aetiology and treatment of mental and behavioral disorders among children with Usher syndrome are discussed. Children with Usher syndrome and their parents may need clinical support during early childhood to prevent development of mental and behavioral disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, København K, Denmark. jesper.dammeyer@psy.ku.dk
authors.forename: Jesper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dammeyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D001766:Blindness / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003638:Deafness / Q000150:complications; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D052245:Usher Syndromes / Q000523:psychology*