The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SC DDSN) established the Office of Prevention to reduce the incidence of autism, intellectual disabilities, head and spinal cord injuries, and related conditions and to promote the quality of life for people with disabilities. The office offers programs for people with disabilities, conducts public awareness and professional education activities, collects data, coordinates prevention activities and genetic services, and provides printed material and videotapes concerning prevention.

Goals of the Genetic Evaluation:

• To identify the cause of the disability
• To provide appropriate counseling and guidance to the individual/family
• To be available for consultation with the primary care physician

Expectations after Genetic Evaluations:

• Expect a copy of the initial dictation summarizing the evaluation approximately 3-4 weeks after the clinic date
• Laboratory results are available upon request
• A follow up note reviewing laboratory findings and giving the plan for follow-up should arrive 6-8 weeks after the visit

Neural Tube Defects Prevention

Neural tube birth defects are among the most common of all serious birth defects. In South Carolina they occur once in every 1,000 births; a frequency that is twice the national average.

Recent studies show women can greatly reduce the risk of neural tube defects by taking the B vitamin folic acid. The vitamin, however, must be taken for several months before pregnancy and during the first two months of pregnancy.

Head and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention

The Interagency Office of Disability Prevention (IODP) has developed a surveillance system to collect and study data about head and spinal cord injuries.

Preliminary studies are based upon past hospital discharge data. This data indicates that automobile accidents and violence are the most common causes of head injuries in South Carolina. The number of severe head injuries is also increasing slightly. Overall, automobile accidents are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries, although falls are a common cause of severe spinal cord injuries for preschool and elderly age groups.

IODP has established a Head and Spinal Cord Injury Information System to register and track individuals with head and spinal cord injuries. The project is funded by a grant from the CDC and will be directed by the SC Head and Spinal Cord Injury Information System Council.

Greenwood Genetic Center

DDSN has a special working relationship with Greenwood Genetic Center. The center provides genetic services to families with disabilities.

Genetic disease affects one of every eight children born in South Carolina and causes a range of birth defects including intellectual disabilities and other disabilities. Genetic services reduce the risk of children having disabilities caused by genetic factors, whenever possible.

Greenwood Genetic Center is a unique model of cooperation between public and private sectors in South Carolina. The center began in 1974 with support from DDSN and the Self Foundation. It provides a complete range of genetic services.

Families of people with genetically linked disabilities may receive services from Greenwood Genetic Center without charge. Services emphasize prevention programs, which reduce the risk of having children with mental or physical disabilities.

Genetic case workers coordinate services at the regional level. Services are provided through a central clinic and laboratory in Greenwood and a network of satellite clinics. Services also are available through local disabilities and special needs boards.

Greenwood Genetic Center collaborates with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and the Medical University of South Carolina. Genetic center faculty members have joint appointments at the medical schools to facilitate this collaboration.

South Carolina's new Self Research Institute will build on accomplishments of Greenwood Genetic Center and is located beside the center. The institute is a state and national resource whose goal is to have every baby born with sound mind and body. Research of the institute focuses on prevention of birth defects and mental retardation.

For more information about genetic services, contact the appropriate regional genetic office or the central clinic:

Greenwood Genetic Center, One Gregor Mendel Circle, Greenwood, SC 29646 (864) 943-8300 800-473-9433 800-6SOMEDAY (676-6332) FAX (864) 943-8335

Upper Piedmont Region serving (Cherokee, Chester, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union and York counties) (864) 455-8473 (case worker) (864) 455-8473 (geneticist)

Lower Piedmont Region serving (Abbeville, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda counties) (864) 943-8300 (case worker and geneticist)

Midlands Region serving (Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg and Richland counties) (803) 737-6346 (case worker) (803) 737-6347 (geneticist)

Pee Dee Region serving (Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Lancaster, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Sumter and Williamsburg counties) (803) 679-0927 (case worker) (803) 943-8300 (geneticist)

Coastal Region serving (Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton and Jasper counties) (803) 883-2404 (case worker) (803) 943-8300 (geneticist)

University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208 (803) 733-3200 (803) 733-3230

Medical University of South Carolina, 373 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC 29425 (803) 792-2300