Reports on a study to investigate the existence of learning disabilities within a sample of juvenile delinquents. The study also sought to determine whether the proportion of delinquents identified as learning disabled differed substantially from the prevalence of learning disabled within the general school population. (JOW)

A program to involve institutional staff in developing manual sign language skills with six profoundly retarded persons was evaluated. Results indicated that all participating residents learned to communicate with signing during structured interactions on their living unit and the skills maintained during follow-up assessments ranging from 39 to…

Rates of acquiescence were alarmingly high in institutions as well as community samples; lower IQ respondents tended to acquiesce more than higher IQ respondents; and, acquiescence had major effects on the content of responses. (Author)

Inappropriate or inadequately documented medication for patients in mental retardation institutions is a major medical and economic problem. Within a 127-patient ward, 41 patients were treated with anticonvulsants. Of these patients, 24 had no documented indications for usage. (Author)

This study found a high incidence of nontraumatic fractures in adults with developmental disabilities living in a state-run facility, a 7.3% incidence among 391 adults. Factors associated with fractures included use of antiepileptic medication. Although bone mineral density (BMD) by heel ultrasound did not predict fracture, values were much lower…

Summarizes lessons learned from listening to individuals with disabilities at the fourth National Self-Advocacy Conference, "The Beat Goes On: Rhythms of the Self-Advocacy Movement." Discusses the views of the organization, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered, which addresses ways to support people who are in institutions and specific strategies for…

Estimated length of stay (LOS) for elderly nursing home patients. Converted discharges from 1985 National Nursing Home Survey into admission cohort and adding reported immediate previous nursing home LOS to surveyed LOS. Ultimate length of aggregated stay was longer than unaggregated estimates for elderly discharged residents. Mean aggregated stay…

Notes that national information is seriously lacking concerning the number and types of board and care homes, their residents, and the quality of services provided. Examines shortcomings in current living arrangement classification procedures used in federal surveys. Proposes definition and classification system that transcends state and local…

Studied the participation of elderly patients (N=148) in the planning for discharge from acute care hospitals. Found that most patients participated actively, but that poor patient condition inhibited full participation. Concludes that family control over decision making also limits participation. (Author/ABL)

Four brief observational surveys were used to determine the incidence of drooling by institutionalized individuals with mental retardation. An average of 14% was identified as drooling on any one occasion, with the accumulated proportion of clients reported as drooling as 28%. Sampling of two clients within and across days was also conducted.…

In a group of 29 nursing home residents, 14 were taught to use Prodigy for electronic mail, bulletin boards, and electronic games; 15 participated in regular activities. Computer interaction effectively increased cognitive abilities and daily living skills and decreased the level of depression. (SK)

Examined consequences of institutionalization for 555 caregivers of dementia patients. Consistent with stress process model, institutionalization was hypothesized to have large impact on primary effects of caregiving and lesser influence on secondary effects and well-being. Following placement, caregivers experienced relief from primary effects of…

Three adults with severe/profound mental retardation consumed regular portions of food that varied between phases from normal to high caloric levels. The data showed a clear but modest inverse relationship between the caloric value of the diet and the rates of postmeal ruminating. (Author/JDD)

Interviewed nursing assistants (n=40) and nursing facility residents (n=37) regarding ways they experienced respect, disrespect, attachment, and distancing in their relationships with each other. As a result of finding evidence of disrespect, an inservice session on gaining respect as a nursing assistant was presented. (ABL)

Analyzed Suicide Intent Scale using data from 98 psychiatric inpatients who had attempted suicide. Analysis resulted in two-factor solution: Lethal Intent factor contained items pertaining to subjective level of lethal intent; Planning factor contained items related to objective planning for attempt. Findings suggest that Suicide Intent Scale can…