[The mongol who becomes older (author's transl)].

The intensive concern of society, pedagogics and medicine for the child with disturbed development places Down's syndrome in the center of a new and gratifying interest. People from the most diverse disciplines are now concerned with mongoloid children, many simply following the trend of the times. Whoever has the care not only of the mongoloid child, however, but also of adolescents and adults, is very well aware that there are a series of processes in the physical, spiritual and mental development of the child through to adulthood in which an apparently dynamic characteristic is inherent. Alone and concurrently with several factors they produce impairment of family life with which the relatives are no longer able to deal. The question as to the motive for handing over the mongol concerned to an institution or home often cannot be answered. There are numerous reasons which may apply alone or in combination. As the mongol becomes older, his relatives are also becoming older giving rise to further difficulties. The present study shows that the furture of the mongol child, i.e. his puberty, his adolescence and adulthood must be planned carefully and principally require pedagogical, therapeutic, sociological and organizational consideration and measures. At present the future of the patients under our care does not seem by any means secure and ordered. The euphoria which is obligatory in many places is not justified.