PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR THE CARE OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN

Abstract

THE CHOICE of a private institution which can offer effective training and education to a mentally handicapped child has always been a difficult problem for the average physician. Very little information has been available concerning most of these institutions. We hope that the present study together with follow-up studies by the state committees will be of future assistance in this respect. Special local committees under the direction of the state chairmen, were appointed to carry on the study at state levels. An "outline" or questionnaire was prepared by our committee which was designed to elicit pertinent information. A "guide" was also prepared which offered information to the local committees concerning desirable methods and practices to be looked for in institutions under scrutiny. The 5-page outline or questionnaire was designed to reveal many details concerning these institutions, such as location, source of income, type of construction, fees, recreational facilities, type of patients accepted, segregation problems, etc., but most of all, information was sought concerning the training, experience and education of the attending staff. Information was particularly sought regarding the availability of research and consultation facilities and whether an intelligent and effective program of therapy, instruction, training and education was being conducted. Questionnaires and information were received from 33 states and 82 institutions representing a total population of more than 117,000,000. We shall report here only information of practical interest to the average physician. The "outlines" from which the information was compiled have been returned to the states which submitted them to be used for future reference by the state committees. Eleven states reported that they have no private residential institutions for the care of mentally retarded children. In this group there are, no doubt, an unknown number of small custodial or boarding homes which are probably to be found in all states.