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To
apply any of the previously mentioned preventive measures
successfully, the first step is an accurate and early recognition
of the disability. Some impairment features are physical and
obvious during clinical examination. These include skeletal
abnormalities, blindness, hearing and speech disorders, some
mental disorders and the chromosomal anomalies such as trisomy
18 or 21, Klinefelter syndrome and Turner syndrome. However,
several other disorders do not become evident until later
in life, although diagnosis may be made prior to the appearance
of the disability or its complications. This has been possible
using biochemical tests and, more recently, by applying recombinant
DNA technology to the identification of the molecular basis
of genetic disability.
The family in general and the mother in particular play a
significant role in the early detection of disability. Abnormalities
in development, both physical and others, and in learning
ability may become obvious to the diligent eyes of the mother
much earlier than a clinical diagnosis can be made. Early
detection and early intervention can avoid the precipitation
of several of the disabilities and can reduce the impact the
disability may have on the family.
Once a diagnosis of genetic disorder is made in the carrier
parents, proper counseling and premarital testing can prevent
the pregnancy of a child with an abnormality. If conception
has taken place, then prenatal diagnosis can be used; if the
fetus is found to be abnormal, appropriate measures can be
adopted and the parents can prepare themselves to look after
a disabled child. If the child is diagnosed as having a disease
that may lead to a disability, then proper intervention programs
can be started at an early stage and can help ameliorate the
effect of the disabling condition.
Medical and/or surgical approaches to preventive intervention
provide whatever is necessary to overcome or correct disabilities
and strengthen the family unit in order to enhance the abilities
of disabled children and their families to cope. |
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