Prediction of developmental attainments of institutionalized mentally retarded children.

Two regression equations using chronological age and either IQ or the Fisher and Zeaman K score were developed to predict Developmental Record ratings of institutionalized mentally retarded children over a 2-year interval (N = 200), a 4-year interval (N = 165), and an 8-year interval (N = 95). Although the correlations between predicted and obtained scores for both equations were quite high even over an 8-year interval, analysis of mean differences revealed that the equation using IQ yielded more accurate predictions. If future studies support the use of such equations with other subjects in other settings, they should be useful in estimating later developmental attainments of mentally retarded children.

Developmental changes of institutionalized mentally retarded children: a semilongitudinal study.

Developmental Record ratings were obtained for 200 institutionalized mentally retarded children over a 3-year period. Following a principal components analysis to determine the most appropriate form of inputting data, we obtained semilongitudinal developmental curves for children at each of four levels of retardation and for boys and girls separately. Results indicated that differences in measured intelligence are associated with differences in various kinds of developmental behavior and that between the ages of 7 and 20 years the relationship is primarily a linear one. When subjects were divided according to sex instead of level of retardation, differences appeared to be minimal. These results should be helpful in predicting later attainments of institutionalized retarded children since ratings on the Developmental Record can be translated into specific types of developmental behavior.

Social and play behaviors of institutionalized mongoloid and nonmongoloid retarded children.

A total of 24 institutionalized retarded children, 12 mongoloid (Down's syndrome) and 12 nonmongoloid, were observed in dyadic interaction with peers in a free-play situation, and a number of specific peer-social and non-social behaviors were recorded as they occurred. Differences between mongoloid and nonmongoloid Ss were most apparent on several social behavior categories which support the stereotypic conception of mongoloids as more sociable, gregarious, etc. Differences were most apparent for the mongoloid boys. The possible influence of tranquilizer drugs and cottage placements on the observed differences was discussed.

Predictors of parent involvement with institutionalized retarded children.

A multivariate discriminant function analysis was used to explore 22 biographical and psychological variables which were thought to have some possible bearing on frequency of family visits to the institution and attendance at parent conferences. The analysis identified 6 of the variables as significant predictors, although the factors related to the 2 measures of parental involvement were not identical. The 6 major predictors of lack of involvement were: presence of physical anomalies, high disparity between CA and social maturity, greater distance from the institution, low occupational level of the father, maintenance payments not being required, and the parent having custody being divorced and remarried.