OF THE MENTALLY RETARDED CHILD

The manual details behavioral and developaental assessment procedure, treatment techniques and method of planning home training programs for mentally retarded children. Focus is on normal preschool development up through 5 years of age. Aims are to help the child function at maximum level by providing practical suggestions to parents for stimulating the child's development (behavioral and perceptual motor skills in particular). Discussed are selection of families for home care services and assessment rationale. An extensive assessment battery is presented as a basis for treatment planning, utilizing techniques of occupational therapy. The battery, with a graduated rating system, encompe.sses six skill areas: basic senses and functionso perceptual motor, fine motor, gross motor, behavioral, and daily living activities. It applies to children functioning from 3 months to 6 years of age. Methods of planning training programs, specific techniques, progression of skills, and equipment are discussed and four sample occupational therapy home programs presented. Appendixes inclade samples of completed assessaent and treatment forms, the rating scale applied to several specific activities, and more sample home programs. The assessment battery is aiso published separately (See EC 033 394). (KN