The Student With a Genetic Disorder: Educational Implications for Special Education Teachers and for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Pathologists.

The purposes of this text are to provide teachers and therapists who are working with children in the educational setting with an introduction to general genetic concepts and conditions and to make suggestions regarding classroom interventions. I feel the authors have succeeded in providing their audience with a compendium of genetic disorders. It is acknowledged early in the book that each child is unique and that all programs must be individualized. It is also stated that this book is not intended for use in diagnosing.

Chapter 1 provides a brief review of genetic principles, beginning with definitions for genes and deoxyribonucleic acid. All words included in the glossary are printed in italics. Chapter 2 progresses to explanations of the inheritance of different categories of genetic disorders. This chapter includes an interesting introduction to genetic mapping.

The third chapter defines the characteristics of a genetic syndrome and provides the outline for the presentation of specific genetic conditions. Subsequent chapters divide genetic disorders into the following categories: blood disorders, bone and joint disorders, chromosome disorders, connective tissue disorders, metabolic and exocrine disorders, multiple malformations, muscle disorders, neurologic disorders, sensory disorders, skull and face deformities, storage diseases, and teratogens. Several specific types of disorders within each general category are then identified and covered in terms of an introduction; a summary of characteristic physical features including implications for potential orthopedic, neurologic, cardiopulmonary, or other systemic problems; a genetic profile; a cognitive profile; a behavior profile; and a section on educational implications with comments regarding physical therapy, occupational therapy, hearing and speech, and psychosocial issues. References and further readings are included for each condition.

The text includes statements regarding educational law, attitudinal barriers, adaptive equipment, and barrier-free schools. These statements are brief and appear to be included for the benefit of the newly involved teacher or therapist.

The text concludes with several appendixes. The first appendix is a checklist to assist in identifying problems that may require intervention in the educational setting. This list is fairly inclusive and could serve as a tool to facilitate discussion or action in team meetings addressing any educational or transitional (including work or living) placement. The second appendix is a general guide regarding when it may be appropriate for a family to seek genetic counseling. The third appendix is a comprehensive list of further resources and support groups.

This book is an excellent reference for personnel working with clients who have genetic disorders. The authors have successfully organized a large amount of information into a very readable format. The text would be useful in a variety of settings outside the educational arena, including, but not limited to, group homes and therapy clinics. This book should be especially useful to individuals who have limited access to medical libraries, as it provides information on a wide variety of conditions and places additional lists of references and resources at the reader's fingertips.