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Hank Bersani, PhD

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(5):520-521.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Gunther and Diekema¹ provided the case of a 6-year-old girl with profound and multiple impairments who underwent a hysterectomy and "growth-attenuation therapy." The intention was to avoid a future out-of-home placement by ensuring that the child remained small in stature, thereby helping her parents to continue to care for her. As leaders of the American Association on Mental Retardation, the oldest multidisciplinary association in the United States representing professionals within the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, we endorse policies and actions that help families to rear their children at home, and we applaud the efforts of the many professionals who provide extraordinary care to children with intensive and pervasive support needs. However, we view growth-attenuation as a totally unacceptable option. Brosco and Feudtner² raised serous concerns, and we add to those.

Gunther and Diekema recognized little potential for the growth and development of this child. However, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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RELATED LETTER

Growth Attenuation: Unjustifiable Non-therapy—Reply
Daniel F. Gunther and Douglas S. Diekema
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(5):521-522.
EXTRACT | FULL TEXT  

RELATED ARTICLES

Attenuating Growth in Children With Profound Developmental Disability: A New Approach to an Old Dilemma
Daniel F. Gunther and Douglas S. Diekema
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160(10):1013-1017.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Growth Attenuation: A Diminutive Solution to a Daunting Problem
Jeffrey P. Brosco and Chris Feudtner
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160(10):1077-1078.
EXTRACT | FULL TEXT  

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