Book Description
The grief language of persons with mental retardation discloses intellectual capacities that are no less powerful, complex, subtle, disturbing, deep, and spiritual than those revealed in the more discursive and dialectical grief language of persons without mental retardation. This book will assist readers in recognizing and understanding the behavioral language of grief among persons with mental retardation and in developing intervention plans to support them through their grief, in both the short and long term.

The book contributes to an awareness of the significance of loss in the life experience of persons with mental retardation. Experiencing loss may be a very powerful vulnerability in their mental or psychological life, and dealing with this loss is a basic element in psychological health. There has been an enormous hole in the death and dying literature and in the mental retardation literature on the mourning behavior and needs of persons with mental retardation. This book fills that hole, and lays a foundation for grief support services, establishes standards of practice and care, and is an educational primer about the loss and mourning needs of persons with mental retardation.

The book is directed to grief counselors and therapists, other mental health workers who work with persons with mental retardation, agencies that support persons with mental retardation, and advocates and family of persons with mental retardation. It includes carefully detailed guidelines for support, therapeutic intervention, family issues regarding a dying caregiver, and agency interventions and program development. ... Read more

Product Description
What should a visit to a primary care physician accomplish for an adult with a developmental disability? Can most doctors be expected to spot common health problems? In Medical Issues for Adults with Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities, Dr. Tyler explains the most common health care needs of adults with disabilities, from under-recognized health problems to screenings to adverse drug reactions. He offers tips for working with physicians, checklists for preventative health care, a list of resources to contact for more information, and a glossary of medical terms. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description
James W. Trent uses public documents, private letters, investigative reports, and rare photographs to explore our changing perceptions of mental retardation over the past 150 years. He contends that the economic vulnerability of mentally retarded people (and their families), more than the claims made for their intellectual or social limitations, has determined their institutional treatment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

COMPREHENSIVE, EXCELLENT HISTORY
James Trent has written an excellent comprehensive history of mental retardation in the U.S.Readers will also find pertinent photographs, and a full bibiography.This volume is a resource for students, human-services professionals, and historians.I highly recommend it.

I found this book quite interesting but very technical
I had to read this book for a report for school.Otherwise, I would have never picked it up.It took me a long time to get through the book, because I found it to be quite technical.However,it was fascinating tofind out what these people went through.It's scary to think that thereactually was a comittee that was set up in 1914 with the sole purpose ofirradicating the mentally retarded from this world!!

It's superb!
I have been teaching classes on the history of residential facilities in America for several years.This book brings a new light to me, and to all of us who work for people with disabilities.

Should be required reading for everyone in the field.
After working in this field for ten years, I finally found something that gives me a history of what has happened to those that came before me and I am making it required reading for my staff.

This was the best book on this topic I ever read.
I spent a good deal of time in libraries looking for information that wasALL CONTAINED IN THIS BOOK. Trent does an amazing job of piecing together asocial/medical history of mental retardation. No medical book, no firstperson type accounts, no histories of institutionalization touched thisbook.This book draws from all the different disciplines to present acomplete picture (as good history books do). It is highly readable andengaging. It's academic and rigorous yet entertaining. I recommend thisbook wholeheartedly. ... Read more

Book Description
Understanding Mental Retardation constitutes an up-to-date guide to current research and theory for specialists and students alike. Throughout, Edward Zigler and Robert M. Hodapp draw on our knowledge of normal development to inform their discussion of various aspects of retardation. Two introductory chapters provide the developmental framework for this discussion. Topics addressed include issues of definition, classification, and prevalence; motivation and personality factors; intervention in the lives of organically and so-called familial retarded persons; the possibility of 'miracle cures'; and the problems of institutionalization and mainstreaming. The authors' clear presentation and judicious evaluation of the available evidence will attract the attention of a wide audience. ... Read more

Book Description
This book is based on the premise that counseling and psychotherapy services are useful and effective interventions with the mental retardation and borderline populations. The chapters focus on issues relevant to intervention (assessment, characteristics of emotional problems), specific techniques and adaptations of techniques for use with this population. The outstanding contributors are all scholars and practitioners with experience in working with individuals with mental retardation and borderline intelligence. The volume provides a comprehensive overview of issues and applications and will serve as the standard counseling and therapy reference work in this area. ... Read more

Book Description
Volume 31 of the International Review of Research in Mental Retardation is a thematic exploration of personality and motivation in persons with mental retardation. Looking at a broad spectrum of intellectual disabilities, Mental Retardation, Personality, and Motivational Systems explores motivation as a moderator for performance and individualized effort. Coverage includes discussions of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in both mentally retarded and non-retarded children, self-determination, interpersonal decision making in adolescents and adults with mental retardation, interpersonal relationships, and the connection between etiological-specific differences and motivation to form "behavioral phenotypes." A final chapter presents a transactional perspective on human ability, relying on constructs of intelligence, cognitive processes, and motivation, with implications for developmental interventions in the lives of persons with mental retardation.

*Explores personality and motivation in persons with mental retardation
*Discusses intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in both mentally retarded and non-retarded children
*A useful reference for researchers and scholars in developmental and cognitive psychology, as well as neuropsychology ... Read more

Book Description
A compelling, close-up view of the everyday lives of men and women with mental retardation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An Eye Opening Read
This was a fascinating read, as it really opened my eyes to the needs of my students as they progress into adulthood.The discussion of the clients included in the book was intriguing, and the ramifications for those of us who are responsible for the education and care of disabled people were inumerable.

There were times that I blanched, thinking that a professional could really get into trouble with some of the situations that clients were placed in, but I would then remember that the clients were all adults, and that heterosexism prevents many disabled adults from experiencing appropriate peer interactions.

Perhaps the most important story to underscore caregivers need to support disabled adults in their pursuit of their sexuality was the story of the woman who met a partner on the internet.The subsequent manipulation and heartbreak by her cyber-partner shows how critical it is that we actually educate in and provide our students, clients or loved onesappropriate sexual outlets.

I would recommend this book to anyone who works with disabled adolescents or adults, or is the family member of a disabled adolescent or adult.

Good, but not as good as I'd hoped
First off, I went into this book, an autistic lesbian, with an expectation.I expected that I would be included in the book's definition of 'developmental disabilities'.I don't seem to be.The book focuses entirely on 'intellectual disabilities', never on the peculiarities of autism as juxtaposed with sexuality and gender.But autistic people face prejudice and discrimination similar to that of people with different developmental disabilities.Within the first chapter, I adjusted my expectation as to who the book was about, and moved on to read the book without my original expectation.

This book tells the story of a support group for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered) people with intellectual disabilities.Importantly, it tells it from a staff point of view.It starts with background information on the group's formation, moves on to descriptions of the members, and finishes with descriptions of the staff.

It is a good reference on this subject, and one of the only books I've seen that addresses this issue directly and continuously, instead of a chapter here and there.But there were some things in it that were decidedly unsettling.

It is interesting, and perhaps ironic, that the author describes the members of the support group as often being much more accepting of their LGBT qualities than their disability.Because the major flaw of this book is being sensitive to LGBT people but not to disabled people.

You can sense the staff-centered nature of the book when several members in a row are described as "manipulative" and "attention-seeking", labels that would likely not be given to them were they non-disabled.One man who acts in ways I'm very familiar with -- rocking, for instance -- at varying frequencies at varying times, is described as liking to engage in "obnoxious" behavior and exaggerating his disability at times to affect other people's behavior toward him.At the same time as the book's descriptions had me wanting to attend the support group, I was thinking, "Wait a minute, if I attended, what would the facilitators think of the fact that I rock and flap my hands a lot?Would that get written up as attention-seeking in the next book?Especially if the frequency changed under stress?"

To view survival tactics, ways of taking control when oppressed, and ordinary behavior as "manipulative" or "attention-seeking" is an old pejorative trick staff use to belittle disabled people, and I very much wish it was not occurring here.This was doubly disturbing when an incident was revealed, halfway through the book, in which an administrator used a series of individual phone calls to cause two disabled men in love with each other to avoid pursuing a relationship.The word "manipulation" was curiously absent in descriptions of this event, and the event was never confronted head-on for what it was.

Among the issues of discrimination discussed in the book, in fact, are the fact that other people try to prevent these relationships.Group homes, where too many of us unfortunately live, often have policies against sex or against closed bedroom doors.Education programs don't have sex education, and if they do it's usually heterosexual only.Adults are put under guardianships in which their guardians can control whom they see and when, and may not regard them as capable of consent to sex or relationships.People are stuck viewing people with developmental disabilities as childlike and don't even want to *think* about us having romantic relationships or sex, much less being anything but heterosexual. I have seen too many stories like this in real life to disbelieve anything the book has to say in this regard -- such as parents who chase away their offspring's lovers, believing, even if their offspring are the ones who initiated the contact, that someone else led their 'innocent helpless children' into a gay lifestyle.

The book describes this discrimination, and the way people face it.It describes people taking pride in who they are, as well as people turning desperately to heterosexuality for solace.It describes successful relationships and unsuccessful ones, as well as love triangles.With few exceptions, it doesn't sugarcoat the experience of LGBT disabled people.

This is a powerful myth-buster that I would recommend, among other reasons, because it strips away the thick layer of denial around the issue of sexuality and gender in people with developmental disabilities.But I dearly wish that it had been written in a way as sensitive to people with disabilities as it was to LGBT people. ... Read more

Book Description
The problems faced by those with developmental disabilities are too often heightened by psychiatric or behavioral disorder. These quality of life issues have come to increasing attention over recent years of improved community and social integration. In tune with these concerns, Dr. Bouras has gathered a comprehensive dossier of essential facts and concepts for all those involved with the care of the dually diagnosed. Drawing on both clinical experience and the latest research, an international and multiprofessional team provides concise and relevant contributions.They highlight the principles for good clinical practice in assessment, management, and services, providing hands-on practical advice for a wide range of mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, and service providers. ... Read more

Book Description
Adults with mental retardation often grieve the loss of their loved ones. However, many times this grief goes unnoticed, without tears, and individuals are never given the chance to express their grief and recover from the death of those close to them. This special guide designed for professionals, will help give these adults that chance.

The book first covers background information on the universal grief process, then addresses grief issues specific to the mentally retarded adult population. Next, it provides practical guidelines for interacting and providing support. Also, a unique feature of the book is the original artwork of adults with mental retardation working through the grief process.

This text was written in response to questions from family members and staff who are looking for concrete ideas that they can use to support someone who is grieving. The book is written to present general information on the grieving process, outline features unique to adults with mental retardation who are grieving and provide concrete ideas that can be useful to grief-stricken adults with mental retardation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

This is just what our program was looking for
This is a clearly presented overview of grieving in adults with developmental disabilities that we have made the centerpiece of our curriculum on grieving.Our program serves adults with developmentaldisabilities with residential, work, and developmental day programs.Thisbook is used to orient staff to the grieving process, help them to know howto respond, and to plan activities for the people served by our program.Ithink that the large section on particular activities to help people workthrough grieving is unusual in this type of book and very practicallyuseful. ... Read more

Book Description
This book reviews theoretical and empirical work in the developmental approach to mental retardation.Armed with methods derived from the study of typically developing children, developmentalists have recently learned about the mentally retarded child's own development in a variety of areas.These areas now encompass many aspects of cognition, language, social and adaptive functioning, as well as of maladaptive behavior and psychopathology. In addition to a focus on individuals with mental retardation themselves, familial and other "ecological" factors have influenced developmental approaches to mental retardation. Comprised of twenty-seven chapters on various aspects of development, this handbook provides a timely, comprehensive guide to understanding mental retardation and development. ... Read more

Book Description
A writer's collection of almost fifty essays that span more than 20 years of her experience as the mother of a son with Down syndrome.With poignancy and humor, Trainer explores a wide variety of issues, including family adjustment, public attitudes, inclusion, and independence.While her insights and nuggets of wisdom are shaped by the joys and frustration of raising a child with mental retardation, they so often strike a common chord in all of us. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great read for parents and others
Trainer is an excellent writter who cuts right to the heart of the matter.She deals frankly with some difficult topics and doesn't have much use for platitudes like "little angles", etc.

While the cover is clearly aimed at women, this is a book for us guys too.You'll enjoy the writing and be affected by the content.

Excellent and Heartwarming
I picked this up at a DS conference and just finished reading, at times it made me happy and at times I cried.But it helped me put my life with my 18 mo old DS girl in perspective and also gave me hope for her future.This is an excellent book that is both inspirational and eye opening.A must read.

Great Book
I truly feel this book is a must read for anyone with a child with Down syndrome. Marilyn Trainer was able to put into words many of the same feelings that I have had about my child with Down syndrome. She is very frank and doesn't hold back on how she feels about many issues concerning her son. I highly recommend Differences in Common! ... Read more

Book Description
Provides an introduction to mental retardation that is readable and comprehensive, and which reflects the broad array of stories associated with this disability. The authors combine a developmental approach—discussing their subject as it evolves from birth to the elder years—with a multidisciplinary perspective that acknowledges the need for collaboration in regard to diagnosis and intervention in order to effectively assist people with mental retardation and their families.Coverage pays particular attention to multicultural issues and incorporates the latest research in the field.For future special education teachers, or those in the psychology and social work field. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Satisfied
I am satisfied to be able to by a book which have been impossible to by in Norway in this edition so far, i.e. 8th edition. ... Read more

Book Description
International Review of Research in Mental Retardation is an ongoing scholarly look at research into the causes, effects, classification systems, syndromes, etc. of mental retardation. Contributors come from wide-ranging perspectives, including genetics, psychology, education, and other health and behavioral sciences.

*Discusses the developmental epidemiology of mental retardation and developmental disabilities
*Explores the cutting edge methodological, statistical, and theoretical advances within the field
*Section I serves as an introduction, Section II reviews the various measurements, and Section III focuses on the epidemiological findings ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

What I needed
Perskes book was given to me after the birth of my
son who experiences Down Syndrome.It has been a source
of hope and inspiration even ten years later.This is a book
that should be passed out to parents and professionals
of special needs children, and required reading for anyone
going into a teaching or health related field where they will
have the pleasure of working with differently abled
people. ... Read more