Based on the author's PhD dissertation, University of Arkansas.

Brief reports on the status of approximately 75 ongoing or recently decided court cases in states of relevance to the mentally retarded are provided. Cases cover the following issues: commitment, community living and services, criminal law, discrimination, guardianship, institutions and deinstitutionalization, medical/legal issues, parental rights…

Adaptive behavior was measured for 79 institutionalized retarded persons (11 to 48 years old) to investigate patterns of levelling off in developmental progress, as measured by the American Association on Mental Deficiency Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS). Total scores for part 1 (adaptive behaviors) and part 2 (maladaptive behaviors) were analyzed…

SUMMARIZING AND ANALYZING LAWS GOVERNING THE ADMISSION OF THE MENTALLY RETARDED TO RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND THE LEGAL RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS OF INSTITUTIONALIZED PATIENTS, THIS REPORT COVERS THE 50 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AT THE END OF 1966. AFTER A CONSIDERATION OF THE METHOD OF REPORTING, TERMINOLOGY, AND DEFINITIONS, 13 TABLES AND…

Five mentally retarded adults from a residential population were placed into the community and rated on their performance in seven common functional domains, including physical, self help, and language skills. The minimal skill in each functional domain that was exhibited by the five clients were identified and compared with scores of 44 mentally…

Predicting occurrences of violent behavior in the population of emotionally disturbed criminal offenders was investigated by identifying a pattern of characteristics that significantly discriminates between violent and nonviolent offenders. Subjects were 149 current and former male patients in the Forensics Division of St. Elizabeths Hospital in…

This paper examines state and local institutions in New York State and discusses library services, resources and programs available to the institutionalized, with recommendations for improvement. State and federal monies provide library services for seven departments in New York State government which operate 250 institutions. Emphasis on…

Research points to two major deficits in the juvenile offender: behavioral (minimal social adaptive skills) and educational (learning disabilities). A private hospitalization treatment program for adolescents is described which combines a behavioral and educational approach to the juvenile offender. A case study illustrates how a…

In view of recent studies of media use in mental hospitals showing that television is the predominant mass medium and one with great potential for therapy, a study was conducted to determine the patterns of television viewing in this environment. A total of 1,204 observations were made in five lounges on two wards of a mental hospital.…

THE FIRST STAGE OF A RESEARCH PROJECT INVESTIGATING REINFORCER PREFERENCES IN DEVELOPMENTAL RETARDATES IS DESCRIBED. THE SUBJECTS, 12 MALES AND THREE FEMALES (CHRONOLOGICAL AGE 10 TO 22, MENTAL AGE 2.8 TO 8.7), WERE PRESENTED WITH A TASK IN WHICH 35MM COLOR SLIDES WERE PROJECTED ONTO A CONSOLE WINDOW. RESPONSES REQUIRED SUBJECTS TO CHOOSE AMONG…

PUBLICLY OPERATED PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE 16 STATES OF THE SOUTHERN REGIONAL EDUCATION BOARD AREA WERE STUDIED TO FIND THE PROPORTION OF ALL RETARDED ADMISSIONS AND RESIDENTS WHO WERE IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS AND THE PROPORTION OF ALL PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS AND RESIDENTS WHO WERE REPORTED TO HAVE PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS OF MENTAL…

Distinctions must be made between the positive intent of certain legislation and the negative backlash which this legislation can create for those persons it is intended to help and protect. Recent laws have been passed, for example, requiring physicians to obtain a patient's consent before treatment can begin and to provide sufficient information…