The first of a series of four booklets on residential programing for the mentally retarded reviews for parents the prevailing definitions, attitudes and practices in the field. Mental retardation is defined as subaverage functioning which originates during the developmental period and is associated with impairment in adaptive behavior. The need…

A group home set up as a system for improving the flow of information between teachers in a community school and the group home and then integrated the reports into the home program. Benefits of the program are described. (Author/SE)

When chief administrators of 196 public residential facilities for the retarded were surveyed to determine their willingness to encourage resident participation in policy decisions, findings revealed varying degrees of support as a function of retardation level and policy issue. (CL)

A systems approach to the study of residential care for the intellectually handicapped suggests that the negative and dehumanizing features of the traditional institution are those of a closed social system. (Author/SBH)

Describing a five-day resident outdoor education program at Cortland, New York which is part of a full year ecology course offered to seniors at New Hartford High School, this article details preparation activities and each of the five day's activities (nature hikes, canoe trips, night hikes, journal writing, etc.). (JC)

This article briefly presents eight basic methods of residence program evaluation. Some of the evaluation methods presented lend themselves easily to process, and others lend themselves to outcome; some are applicable to both. (Author)

Analysis of 227 questionnaire responses concerning opinions and knowledge of psychotropic drugs of direct caregivers in two New Zealand public residential facilities for the retarded indicated a preference for subjective assessment of drug effects, endorsement of behavior modification as an alternative to pharmacotherapy, and dissatisfaction with…

Comparison of 154 families who placed developmentally disabled family members in residential programs and 377 families who cared for family members at home suggested increased incidence of family problems as well as more severe impairment among families who placed the developmentally disabled. (Author/DB)

Three models of intentional therapeutic communities for troubled youth are described: psychiatric communities, communities with a spiritual orientation, and collectives inspired by A. Makarenko. Applications of the Makarenko model with adolescents having problems of substance abuse and serious social maladjustment in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark…

The mother of two handicapped children in Canada describes her family's decision to take her six-year-old out of an institutional program and bring her home to participate fully in family and community activities. (DB)

The five-year Pennhurst Longitudinal Study documented effects of court ordered closure of a large institution for the mentally handicapped in Pennsylvania. Findings included that the vast majority of residents had moved to community living arrangements and that deinstitutionalized residents functioned at a higher level than similar residents who…

At the California School for the Deaf students have opportunities to succeed in a total communication environment. Program philosophy ensures that students who can benefit will have a mainstreaming experience; however, if a student cannot cope, adjustments are made. (Author/CL)

A new job satisfaction instrument for employees of a residential care facility for mentally retarded persons effectively measures the employees' satisfaction with 12 work related variables: salary, company policies, supervision, working conditions, interpersonal relations, security, advancement, recognition, achievement, work responsibility, and…

As part of a state residential center's 16-week training program to assist blind adults, aged 16-65, in acquiring employability skills, clients receive hands-on training in mastering the IBM Memory 100 Audio Unit typewriter. Training includes assessing prerequisite secretarial skills, using self-instructional materials, and evaluating performance.…

Examines physical involvement as a therapeutic tool with acting-out children. Describes situations when physical involvement may be necessary and techniques of physical involvement. (JH)