J. Jackson's Characteristics of the Treatment Environment was administered to 130 staff members of eight nursing homes in one county to assess the quality of care given retarded persons. (Author)

Residential staff rated common consequences of stereotypic or self-injurious behaviors of 60 severely and profoundly retarded residents. Ratings indicated that only 7 percent of stereotypic behavior was followed by positive consequences or escape/avoidance from demands, while 30 percent was followed by staff attention and 38 percent led to escape…

A study conducted at a institutional dormitory for 32 profoundly retarded adolescents and preadolescents assisted by nine attendants supported the value of rearranging the traditional personnel structure to provide a slightly lower staff-resident ratio and assigning more comprehensive responsibilities to particular attendants. Improved training…

Psychology program directors of University Affiliated Facilities were surveyed via questionnaire regarding the role and training of clinical psychologists in the field of mental retardation. (KW)

Patterns of staff communication with people living in three community-based residential facilities supporting persons with disabilities were examined by observing 16 staff persons for 2 hours each as they communicated with residents. Frequencies of communication were found to differ across activities and residents (communicative partners) but not…

Feedback procedures were used on two different wards at a state hospital for the retarded to increase the number of behavior modification projects completed each day by 22 staff members. (Author)

This paper defines and clarifies the role of professional nurses on interdisciplinary teams in the field of developmental disabilities. Professional services expected from registered nurses are outlined, and the position statement of the American Association on Mental Retardation Nursing Division is presented to provide a framework of practice for…

Examined were the number and nature of interactions between 17 attendants and 15 institutionalized moderately and severely retarded children (4-to 12-years-old). (CL)

Court rulings and legislation are cited in a discussion of institutionalized mentally retarded persons' rights to privacy. The authors emphasize the need to restructure job responsibilities and/or descriptions to ensure appropriate resident-staff relations for dressing, bathing, toileting, and other private activities. (CL)

Unitization--placement of institutionalized mentally retarded persons from a common geographical area into a series of living arrangements in the same residential area--is discussed in terms of its implications and meaning for the social worker and the resident. (Author/IM)

This commentary discusses the views of the Nursing Division of the American Association on Mental Retardation on the issue of medication administration by unlicensed assistive personnel. The need for professional registered nurses to engage in the initial and ongoing training and evaluation of unlicensed assistive personnel is emphasized. (CR)

In an institutional setting for retarded children, 14 staff members were observed during the administration of teaching programs. (Author)

This paper explains why social work practice does not seem to play as strong a role as other professions in enhancing the dignity of lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Social workers are urged to give the same validity to case management of individuals with disabilities as has been given to improving services to poor people.…

This study investigated co-worker involvement between 341 supported employees with various levels of mental retardation and their nondisabled co-workers. Results indicated that co-workers interacted extensively with the employees who had mental retardation, especially in advocacy, evaluation, and training roles. (Author/JDD)