Discusses inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in managed care as part of general efforts by states to enroll all Medicaid recipients. Elements of managed care that are important to people with developmental disabilities are reviewed, including care coordination, maintenance of quality, and individual and family support. (Author/CR)

This paper presents a systematic approach for addressing the support needs of persons with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and describes a new scale to measure individual differences in support needs. It explains the process used in developing the scale and discusses critical issues and practical challenges associated…

Responses to a 40-item questionnaire distributed to 50 mildly mentally retarded (MR) adults indicate that the majority possess accurate information about MR, hold realistic attitudes toward their own needs and abilities, and advocate community integration of the retarded. (Author/JG)

This article notes that regulations governing service provision in residential programs for persons with mental retardation may become decontextualized and fail to address individual needs or specific situations. Ecobehavioral analysis of rule-governed behavior in residential settings is suggested for measuring the effects of regulatory rules.…

Presents a general model of the structure and functioning of managed care and describes elements (provider networks, fiscal elements, risk estimation, case-mix, management information systems, practice parameters, and quality improvement) critical to people with developmental disabilities. Managed care demonstration projects and a hypothetical…

This commentary on Erb's (1995) article on institutionalization of individuals with severe impairments identifies several points of disagreement, including the appropriateness of placement of such individuals in large institutions, the financial cost of community supportive living, and whether individual needs can best be served in institutions or…

It was found that mentally retarded individuals awaiting placement were younger, more intellectually and physically handicapped, and less skilled than persons already in group homes. Persons in jeapardy of placement failure had higher IQs, fewer mobility problems, and greater independence skills than other group home residents. (Author/SEW)

Parents of 50 children (ages 5-12) with mental retardation reviewed hypothetical need situations associated with their child's retardation and rated the likelihood that they would help themselves or seek external help. Mothers' help-seeking behavior seemed to be affected by ego considerations whereas fathers' help-seeking behavior was…

A national sample of 370 older persons with mental retardation in 235 facilities (foster care, small group homes, large private facilities, and state-operated facilities) was surveyed. Information is presented on resident characteristics, day program participation, services received, and differences in programs and services by facility type. The…

This study evaluated 2,815 adults with developmental disabilities in 328 Illinois intermediate care and skilled nursing facilities. Only 10 percent were determined to be appropriately placed in medical settings; 27 percent were enrolled in day training programs; and many individuals recommended for alternative residential settings had medical and…

Young children with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) of perinatal origin often present with increasing medical and developmental problems after the first half year of life. Most eventually require foster care; some are integrated in intervention or preschool services; others are in segregated educational programs. Family supports and specialized…