Psychiatric Study of Mentally Retarded Preschool Children

This study of a group of mentally retarded preschool children was initiated with the aim of exploring psychogenic factors as a possible cause of retardation. Description of Project The project has been described elsewhere.1,2Briefly the plan of study was as follows: Eight children, ranging in age from 4 years 8 months to 3 years 1 month, were selected for the project. All were functioning at a retarded level; all were without demonstrable organic basis for the retardation, and none was a clear-cut case of childhood psychosis. Since one child was withdrawn at the end of the first year and another was given his place, it was possible to obtain observations on a total of nine children. The screening process included pediatric, neurological, psychiatric, and psychological examinations. The children were given a program of nursery school five days a week. Five of them