A Language Development Program for the Institutionalized Mentally Retarded: The use of A Para-Professional Trainer

Abstract

SummaryA language development program was delivered to 24 severely intellectually handicapped young adults from a residential training centre for the intellectually handicapped, by a paraprofessional trainer These subjects were matched on the basis of age, age at institutionalization length of institutionalization, and baseline score with 24 other residents from the Centre who did not receive the language training Half of each group attended a daily skills development program which was independent of the language envelopment program Measures were taker net are the program commenced. three months later when the program ceased, and at the month follow-up The results indicated that there was a significant improvement in language skills in subjects receiving the language training both at the conclusion of the program and at the follow-up Inclusion in the skills development program did not enhance effects suggestions for future studies are made.