A study on the administrative management for mentally retarded persons in the social welfare center for disability of Yokohama City
A study on the administrative management
for mentally retarded persons in the social
welfare center for disability of Yokohama
City
Akiko Yoshida, Tomoko Sugano, Takeshi Matsuishi,
Keiko Endo, Tetsuaki Yamaguchi, Yoshiteru
Yamada
Abstract
A survey was carried out to assess the administrative management of people
with mental retardation, the results of medical diagnosis, psychological
testing and testing of working capacity from October, 1987 to March, 1989
in the social welfare center for disabilities of Yokohama city. The total
number of cases with mental retardation in this survey was 377. Male :
female ratio of mental retardation was 1.73 : 1, The average IQ was 39.0.
The percentage of mildly mentally retarded was 20.8, 30,0% for moderate,
25.1% for severe and 20.2% for profound. These result shows that the rate
for severely retarded is more than that previously presented.
The most prevalent complication was epilepsy
with 28% of cases being affected. Using antiepleptics
their condition was generally controlled.
The prevalence rate of epilepsy was proportional
to the degree of mental retardation.
Male : female ratio of mentally retarded
with autistic disorder was 7.7 : 1. The percentage
of autistic disorder in the total group was
16%. The average IQ of this group was 42.4.
Generally speaking, the more severe the degree
of mental retardation, the higher the prevalence
of autistic disorder.
Those with mild mental retardation showed
maladjustment at a higher rate.
As for the administrative management on the basis of these result, the
group of profound and severe mentally retarded tended to be institutionalized
and the group of moderate and mild mentally retarded attended a vocational
aid center.
The shortage of facilities is a serious problem in Yokohama city. Considering
of higher rate of severely mentally retarded, construction of institutions
is urgent. In addition to that, we emphasize the need for special consideration
for those with autistic disorder.
(Kanagawa Seishinigaku kaishi, Journal of
Kanagawa Psychiatric Association, 47: 59-66,1997)
An epidemiological study on the cause of mental retardation in Yokohama City
Akiko Yoshida, Tomoko Sugano, Takeshi Matsuishi, Keiko Endo, Yoshiteru Yamada
We investigated the cause of mental retardation
in 337 cases. This survey was carried out
from October 1987 to March 1989. The total
number of participants in the survey was
337 mentally retarded people residing in
Yokohama City and consisted of 207 male,
130 female. Age ranged from 14 years to 58
years with an average age of 22 years. IQ
was evaluated using Tanaka-Binet test,the
Japanese version of the Binet test. The sample
population was classified into two groups.
The first group was made up of cases with
severe mental retardation with IQ scores
of 50 or less. The second group had mild
mental retardation with IQ scores of over
50. This classification is in accordance
with the international standard. The number
of cases in the first group was 262 and in
the second group was 75. Physical and neurological
examination was performed in all cases in
an attempt to ascertain the causes of the
mental retardation. Where it was deemed necessary
electroencephalogram, cranial CT scan and
chromosome test were carried out in cases
where parental consent was granted.
The time of insult was categorized into four
groups; prenatal, perinatal, postnatal and
unclear. In the severely mentally retarded
group, group one, the time of insult occurred
in the prenatal period in 25.6% of cases,
in the perinatal period in 9.2% of cases,
in the postnatal period in 8.0% of cases
and was unclear in 57.2% of cases. In the
second group a prenatal insult occured in
14.7% of cases, perinatal was 8.0%, postnatal
was 12.0% and was unclear in 65.3%. In the
first group gene or chromosomal abnormalities
accounted for 68.6% of cases with mental
retardation occurring in the prenatal period.
In the second group a familial relationship
was recognised in 26.9% of cases. The cause
of mental retardation in the second group
was in many cases difficult to specify.
A comparison performed between this study
and a similar study carried out in Finland
revealed similar patterns. The above findings
suggest a need for prenatal diagnosis and
genetic counseling in certain cases.
(Kanagawa Seishinigaku kaishi, Journal of
Kanagawa Psychiatric Association, 48:15-21,1998)
