Changes in Levels of Mental Retardation: A Comparison of Institutional and Community Populations

Abstract

Increasingly, persons with complex disabilities are served in community settings, and institutionalization is less often a treatment of choice. However, relatively little work has been reported comparing the community and institution in terms of individual data. This study was conducted in order to compare changes in level of mental retardation among persons served in a community-based service system and institutionalized persons from the same geographic region. Comparisons were made at all levels of mental retardation and of cohort groups matched on age, sex, ambulation, and initial level of retardation. In general, persons in the community were more likely to increase their functioning level, while those at the institution were found to decrease at a higher rate. Particularly noteworthy differences were found within the severely retarded group. The impact of community interaction and stimulation is discussed, and implications for service providers are suggested.

Keywords

changes in levels of retardation community placement deinstitutionalization effects of community placement effects of institutionalization

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