To test whether or not the factor structure of the Adaptive Behavior Scale (Part I) (ABS) differs when community-based mentally retarded subjects are used rather than institutionalized retarded subjects, the ABS was administered to 100 mentally retarded adults living at home and being served by community daytreatment programs. A principle…

Comparison of developmental growth for 104 matched pairs from mentally retarded residents of a public institution and of community living arrangements (CLA) revealed that CLA Ss showed significant developmental progress in reduction of maladaptive behavior while institutionalized Ss showed no change over 2 years. (Author/CL)

Changes in adaptive competence over a one-year period of profoundly mentally retarded, physically disabled persons living in a moderately sized residential facility or in small community programs were examined. No evidence was found to indicate that habilitative growth was greater for residents in the small community programs. (Author/CL)

The study compared changes in mental retardation level among persons in community-based services and institutionalized persons from the same geographic region. In general, persons in the community were more likely to increase their functioning level, while institution Ss decreased at a higher rate. Noteworthy differences were found among severely…

Adaptive and challenging behavior changes associated with movement from Minnesota's state institutions to community homes were examined in 148 participants with mental retardation. Adaptive behavior declined among residents who moved to community programs but was unchanged for persons who moved to Home and Community Based Services Waiver-Funded…

A review of research on the role of social competence in the community adjustment of developmentally disabled persons indicates that facilitation of such adjustment should focus on remediation of maladaptive behavior, instruction in social skills and behavioral competencies, assessment before placement in the community, and continued on-site…

Using a theoretical model developed from Ajzen's and Fishbein's (1980) theory of reasoned action, researchers investigated the neighboring intentions of community residents toward mentally disabled individuals. A random sample of 345 residents in Winnipeg, Canada, responded to a survey by mail. Questionnaires were randomly assigned one of eight…

A review of 33 studies of residential service outcomes found that almost all of the studies found statistically significant increases in overall adaptive behavior scores associated with deinstitutionalization of individuals with mental retardation. Three studies reported statistically significant improvements in challenging behavior associated…

The study compared effects on the behavioral functioning of 12 severely retarded adults of either large hospitals or small community-based houses. Use of an observational measure of purposeful activity as well as of staff behavior indicated increased client functioning in the small homes, particularly in domestic activity and interaction with…

This survey of nine institutional and community settings serving persons with severe handicaps found (1) in groups managed by one or two staff, staff interactions, and client adaptive functioning improved with decreased group size; and (2) improvement in staff performance and client behavior from addition of staff to a client group was marginal or…

This study of 26 deinstitutionalized and 31 institutionalized developmentally disabled New South Wales adults found that relocated subjects demonstrated a significant increase in adaptive functioning after 1 year of community living. No corresponding change was found for institutionalized subjects. Daily living skills improved the most, followed…

As part of an institutional closure program, 95 Australian individuals with mental retardation were relocated to community-based group homes. Assessments indicated improvements in adaptive functioning but not significant change in maladaptive behavior. There were also improvements in life circumstances and increased opportunities for choice-making…

A meta-analysis of 11 studies examined findings regarding adaptive behavior gains of deinstitutionlized adults with mental retardation when placed in community-based programs. Results found studies involving persons with severe mental retardation exhibited larger gains, and the adaptive behaviors most influenced by community placement are those…

The document consists of proceedings from the 1987 Leadership Conference on the topic of least restrictive environment (LRE) for severely disabled students. Contents include the following presentations: "The OSEP (Office of Special Education Programs) Plan for LRE" (G. Thomas Bellamy); "Bringing about Integrated Community-Based…

This study of 32 adults with mental retardation found substantial differences in the types of environmental support provided in group homes after transfer from large state institutions. Differences in community adjustment occurred for residents placed in group homes with significantly different functional features. Several factors interacted to…