Future residential plans and placement preferences of 340 mothers of adult children with mental retardation living at home were examined and followed up three years later. Forty-five percent had made residential plans; at follow-up, 22% of families with short-term residential plans had achieved a placement, compared to 14% of families wanting…

This article describes adulthood in general and that of individuals with severe cognitive impairments. It examines traditional roles, rites, and rituals of adulthood, including: voting, marriage, consensual sex, and moving out. How one parent intends to assist her daughter in accessing these markers of adulthood is discussed. (Contains…

Analysis of states' use of home and community-based service waivers to finance community services for mentally retarded persons revealed that the waivers are difficult to develop and states are experiencing difficulties in serving the targeted number of people. (CL)

Structured interviews with 154 adults with mental retardation showed two-thirds were either unable to respond or exhibited response bias. There was a significant difference in scores on the Adaptive Behavior Scale between those who exhibited response bias and those who did not. The substitution of a proxy respondent is discussed. (Contains…

Investigated in a longitudinal study were the variables affecting the efficacy of a token economy used with 16 institutionalized severely and profoundly mentally retarded males (16-24 years old) exhibiting disruptive behaviors. (Author/CL)

A national survey of voting patterns of retarded citizens in the 1976 presidential election indicated an increase in the number of retarded voters and in the efforts of many states to remove obstacles to voting. (CL)

Reviewed are four work sample batteries presently in use to predict vocational behavior of the mentally retarded. (CL)

Thirty-nine behavior checklists containing behavior descriptions related to pre-vocational, vocational, occupational, and work behaviors of handicapped and normal persons were reviewed, categorized, and evaluated. (Author)

Since people with developmental disabilities may be particularly vulnerable to the acquisition of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), prevention education is critical. Key principles utilized in existing models are discussed with recommendations for adapting these models to persons with mild/moderate mental retardation offered. (Author/DB)

Analysis of the functional and personal characteristics of 336 persons with mental retardation living in 181 small, specialized foster care homes and group homes found some differences in resident characteristics across facility type, including communication and toileting skills, age, and mobility. (Author/DB)

A New Zealand study investigated the prevalence, health status, and service needs of people with mental retardation born before 1940. Of 1,063 people identified, 42% resided in institutions, 7% with family, 13% in nursing homes, and 38% in community-based residential facilities. Additionally, 75% received regular medication, and 75% had at least…

The ability of 10 adults with mental retardation to exhibit linguistic control within peer and staff dyads was evaluated. Participants produced significantly more utterances with staff than with peers; however, they did not exhibit significant amounts of directives or questions, the two types of verbal control bids studied. (Author/CR)

As part of a longitudinal study of families with an adult son/daughter with mental retardation living in the home, 329 families were surveyed regarding the current involvement and future caregiving plans of adult siblings. Factors differentiating siblings intending to co-reside (36 percent) with the retarded sibling or intending to live apart (64…