It is proposed that a diagnostic referral center be established for the principal purpose of diagnostically screening exceptional children in general, rather than a particular type of child, so that, whenever necessary, referrals for treatment can be made to the appropriate agency or agencies. The proposed center could eventually become regional in scope and perhaps part of a national network of such regional centers. Expensive diagnostic duplications could be avoided when exceptional children move from one community or state to another. The lack of a coordinated, systematic procedure for assisting distraught parents in obtaining help should no longer be tolerated by the professional community.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
DoyleP. J.Mental retardation—need for a holistic approach. In The President's Panel on Mental Retardation, Report to the President —National Action to Combat Mental Retardation. Washington, D. C.: USGPO, 1965.
2.
GoodmanE. M.Implementing effective coordination of programs for the handicapped. Exceptional Children, 1968, 34, 569–576.
3.
HillA. S.The status of mental retardation today —with emphasis on services. Exceptional Children, 1959, 25, 298–299.
4.
IsenbergR. M.Administrative organization. In Special education services in sparsely populated areas: Guidelines for research. Boulder, Colo.: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, 1966.
5.
KirkS. A.Are we confused?Paper presented at the National Conference of the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, New York, March, 1967.
6.
TaftL.Transcript of speeches and answers to questions. Paper presented at the Consultation on Religious Classes for Mentally Retarded Children, Coordinating Committee for the Religious Education of the Handicapped, New York, October, 1964.
7.
WolfensbergerW.Embarrassments in the diagnostic process. Mental Retardation, 1965, 3, 29–31.
