Sexual maturation in girls with severe mental handicap

Abstract

It is becoming accepted that sex eduation of handicapped adolescents should not be neglected. For such education to be effective, it should begin before sexual maturity. In an attempt to provide a starting guideline for girls attending ENS(S) schools in the Manchester [U.K.] area, a cross-sectional survey was performed to determine mean age of menarche. The results showed the group as a whole to be on average 13 months later than normal. However, Down''s syndrome formed a large identifiable subgroup with a mean menarcheal age 11 months earlier than normal, leaving the non-Down''s group 21 months later than normal, and 2 years 8 months behind the Down''s group. The implications for educations are discussed.