A self-concept scale for the developmentally disabled adult

Includes bibliographical references (pages 41-44)The creation of independent life functioning programs\ud for the developmentally disabled adult has brought about a\ud need for determining the individual's self concept to aid\ud in the development of becoming a self sufficient and self\ud supporting individual.\ud It became necessary to locate or develop an instrument\ud which could be used in a specific independent life functioning\ud program. The development of such an instrument\ud which would be suitable had many steps and barriers.\ud The study shows the steps in determining the areas of\ud concentration to be studied. The three areas chosen were:\ud 1) Social self in life settings; 2) Physical self awareness; and 3) Family relations. It is believed to be the\ud first study of its kind as only a small amount of information\ud was found in doing a literature review for this study.\ud Few researchers have taken time to talk to, study or test\ud the mild/borderline retarded subject and discover their\ud feelings and attitudes about independent living. Over\ud the years these subjects have been ignored, often institutionalized,\ud and left to simply remain under the support of\ud the state or a burden on the family.\ud The study proved to be an interesting account of the\ud subject's feelings and attitudes and hopefully will provide\ud counseling staff with information that could help\ud with the training and therapy of the developmentally\ud disabled adult