The article discusses the disinstitutionalization of the mentally retarded in terms of six features of culture/transition shock: cue problems, value discrepancies, characteristic symptoms, the adjustment mechanism, the emotional core, and emergence over time. (DLS)

A discrepancy exists between research formulations of personality characteristics potentially useful in evaluating people with mental retardation and actual practice in psychological assessment. Clinicians are encouraged to enhance traditional psychometric procedures with instrumentation deriving from personality formulations to promote better…

The importance of recreation to the total system of habilitative services for mentally retarded persons is discussed in terms of previous and current trends in the field. (Author)

Retrospective analyses were conducted on a remainder population of 361 individuals with mental retardation at a rehabilitation institute. One-third of the clients appeared to be gaining from the institute's programs. Programs dealing with daily living and more conceptual material appeared to be more effective than vocational programs. (Author/DB)

It is maintained that since H. Goddard's investigations in 1914, over 450 separate studies on intellectual dimensions of the juvenile and adult retarded offender have been published, yet the investigations have not provided conclusive evidence that intelligence level plays a role in deliquent and/or criminal behavior. (Author/MC)

Since children with symptomatic HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection show a variety of neurodevelopmental impairments including mental retardation and motor abnormalities as well as a variety of clinical courses, rehabilitative services must be established to meet the complex needs of this growing population. (Author/DB)

A case study of three adults (ages 46-47) with Down syndrome investigated the patterns of symptoms associated with depression and dementia. Characteristics that distinguish between dementia and depression in adults with Down syndrome are described. Periodic comprehensive assessment of adults with Down syndrome to detect functioning changes is…

This article uses preliminary data from 51 direct-care staff members and approximately 190 residents of a facility for nonambulatory individuals with profound mental retardation, to illustrate the roles of social, ecological, and regulatory contingencies of reinforcement and their potential counterhabilitative effects on residents. Results…

Individual Habilitation Plans for 32 persons with severe/profound mental retardation were developed in the Goal Attainment Scaling format. At the end of a designated intervention period (six months or one year) using Goal Attainment Scaling, only 14 percent of prescribed goals had been achieved at expected levels. (Author/JDD)

This historical study indicates that the optimism in the education of children with mental retardation, which surfaced in the midnineteenth century with the opening of two U.S. residential schools, soon turned to pessimism as results were less than expected and the possibility of custodial care in place of habilitation was considered. (Author/JDD)

Intervention advances in mental retardation have enabled some individuals to function as independent, nonretarded persons. Establishing total habilitation (a term needed to describe this outcome) as a major goal of intervention will promote research and the development of an intervention continuum that includes prevention, total habilitation, and…

An evaluation of the treatment and habilitation services provided to individuals with dual diagnoses of mental retardation and mental illness concludes that service delivery is currently unacceptable. This article considers legal issues, general ethical principles, and codes of ethics of two professional groups. The ultimate responsibility of…

Participant observation and interviews were conducted to determine processes involved in person-centered transition planning with six young adults having moderate to severe mental retardation. Initial planning meetings were evaluated in terms of organization; structure; facilitation process; and participation of families, professionals, friends,…