A behavioral program to train elderly nursing home patients (N=25) in interpersonal skills was systematically developed and evaluated. On a behavioral measure of responses to situations that had been included in training, the Skill Training program was superior to the control conditions. However, learning failed to generalize to novel situations.…

Sixty child care workers in a British residential assessment program for male adolescents with possible behavior disorders rated vignettes describing either physical or sexual assault. Sexual assaults were perceived to be more serious than physical assaults and their perpetrators more dangerous. Female care workers perceived a greater difference…

Developmental Record protocols were obtained from archival files for 1,069 institutionalized mentally retarded adults and children. Analyses revealed high internal reliabilities, but questionable validity. The Developmental Record did not adequately discriminate the five areas of functioning it purportedly assesses (self-care, perceptual-motor,…

As a sequel to an earlier case study, the article recounts the author's visit with a young man in the Nebraska penitentiary whose journey began 12 years before with special education services and subsequent placement in a variety of diagnostic and treatment centers. (JW)

This study, involving 1,245 institutionalized adults with severe and profound mental retardation, compared individuals with and without autistic features, as assessed by the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped-II (DASH-II). Core and associated features of autism in this population are identified, and characteristics of persons with…

Examined social skill deficits in incarcerated (n=31) and nonincarcerated (n=31) adolescent males. Found family variables of structure and functioning correlated with social skills. Found significant relationship between social skill deficits and group membership. Family structure was related to group membership as well. Several social skill…

This rebuttal by the original authors to a critique (EC 609 029) of their article describing the TAPER psychotropic drug review process supports the process as an individualized approach to psychotropic drug treatment and as an interdisciplinary approach appropriate for use in community-based services for individuals with developmental…

Provides overview on the role, character, and diversity of services school counselors experience in residential settings (psychiatric hospitals, correctional programs, residential treatment settings). Documents the existence of school counselors in forensic "educational" settings. Considers school counseling services of consultation and…

Institutionalized adults with mental retardation (74% of whom had severe to profound retardation) were assessed. Of 30 adults who had been diagnosed as having affective disorders, 4 did not meet modified criteria for affective disorder; and of 30 with other psychiatric disorders, 6 did meet criteria for affective disorder. (Author/JDD)

Examined relationship between place of residence and use of formal services prior to entering nursing home among older persons (n=131) within 30 days of admission. Found no residential differences in percent reporting use of formal services, number of services received, kinds of services used, or average length of time services had been received.…

Elaborates on standards of care for assessment, management, and treatment of hospitalized suicidal patients. Attempts to synthesize concepts of minimal standard of care with clinical risk management and clinical judgment. Points out areas of overlap and shows where optimum care diverges from legal standards of care. Tables differentiate…

This study examined the involvement of families with children and adult family members (n=163) with mental retardation in residential treatment and programs. Multiple regression found three variables that accounted for most of the variance in involvement: (1) distance from the residential facility; (2) expectation that the family member would…

This study investigated differences in social skills among 203 institutionalized individuals (mean age 43) with severe and profound mental retardation grouped into those exhibiting self-injurious behavior, aggression, both behaviors, or neither behavior. Results indicated that individuals displaying maladaptive behaviors exhibited a restricted…

Thirteen incarcerated girls (ages 13-17) were tested following identification of language impairment to explore why they did not receive services prior to incarceration. Results indicate speech-language pathologists may be qualifying students based on a cognitive reference instead of a discrepancy formula based on age and level of language…