Understanding Mental Retardation [Paperback]

Understanding Mental Retardation draws on our knowledge of normal development to inform their discussion of various aspects of retardation.Presents and critically evaluates available research to determine which practices and approaches are best for retarded individuals and their families. Draws on current knowledge of normal development as source material.Presents and critically evaluates available research to determine which practices and approaches are best for retarded individuals and their families. Draws on current knowledge of normal development as source material.Understanding Mental Retardation constitutes a guide to 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.Preface; Part I. Introduction and Background: 1. What we do and do not understand about mental retardation; 2. The developmental perspective; Part II. Definition, Classification, Etiology, and Prevalence: 3. Definition and classification of mental retardation; 4, Familial retardation and the nature-nurture controversy; 5. How many retarded people are there?; Part III. Motivation and Personality Development of Retarded Persons: 6. The retarded child as a whole person; Part IV. Intervention and Treatment Approaches: 7. Principles of early intervention with organically retarded children; 8. Early intervention programs and their evaluation; 9. The slc(