Understanding and Teaching the Dependent Retarded Child

This book is based on the conviction that “every individual, if given the opportunity, can make some contribution to the common welfare and to his own happiness,” and, as such, it seeks to provide the reader with inspiration, new understandings, and impetus in his work with mentally retarded children. The book is unique in its approach and combination of theory, analysis, and technique. It gives a dynamic description of the four major levels of mental retardation and the relationship of the dependent retardate to the rest of the retarded and to the normal population. Following this is a review of the varying criteria for admission into classes for the trainable. It offers a philosophical framework for the education of this group, and details specific minimal and maximal goals for training. These goals are based on a realistic overall appraisal of the child rather than on any one of his individual characteristics. Five major skill areas are Self-help; Social; Motor; Academic; and Vocational. The teaching approach stresses basic building blocks for these children’s lives, and allows for individual personal growth and development. Since the text stresses growth, it gives a developmental program for ANY child deviating from the norm in social, emotional, or physical patterns; for example, the brain-injured or emotionally disturbed child. All the book’s activities, recommendations, and suggestions have actually been used, tested, and proved successful.