Vocational training can help place within the adolescent mind the strategies they will need to adapt to life as an adult.
Further research is needed within the field of adolescents with the condition. According to research, "Unfortunately, most psychiatrists are ill-equipped to handle this situation, having received little or no formal training in this area," (Sebastian 2008). Therefore, more research can only open up new information to psychiatrists and physicians who work with families to make the most comfortable life for the adolescent dealing with mental retardation.
References
Biasini, Fred J.; Grupe, Lisa; Huffman, Lisa; & Bray, Norman W. (2010). Mental retardation: A symptom and a syndrome. Comprehensive Textbook of Child and Adolescent Disorders. New York: Oxford University Press. Retrieved March 10, 2010 from http://www.uab.edu/cogdev/mentreta.htm
Collins, H. (2004). Children who are mentally retarded. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Retrieved March 10, 2010 from http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/children_who_are_mentally_retarded
(2007). Mental retardation / adolescent issues for mental retardation. Your Total Health. Retrieved March 10, 2010 from http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/mental-retardation.html?pageNum=4#4
Mental Retardation -- Developmental delay. (2010). Mass General Hospital for Children. Retrieved March 10, 2010 from http://www.massgeneral.org/children/adolescenthealth/articles/aa_mental_retardation.aspx
Murphy, Nancy a. (2006). Sexuality of children and adolescents with developmental disabilities. American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved March 10, 2010 from http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;118/1/398
Sebastian, Simon C. (2008). Mental retardation: What it is and what it is not. Pediatrics: Development and Behavioral. Retrieved March 10, 2010 from WebMD: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/289117-overview
Zeldin, Ari S. (2010). Mental retardation. Pediatric Neurology. Retrieved March 10, 2010 from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1180709-overview
