Mental retardation最新文献

Malingering, the exaggeration or fabrication of physical and/or psychological symptoms, can threaten the psychological assessment process (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). To enhance the validity of psychological evaluations, researchers have studied trends in malingering and developed instruments for its detection (Rogers, Bagby, & Dickens, 1992; Tombaugh, 1996). These instruments, however, may not be appropriate for individuals with significant subaverage intellectual functioning. Four instruments assessing malingering, frequently used in forensic evaluations, were administered to individuals with mental retardation. Results show that by utilizing established cut-off scores, we were able to classify a significant percentage of participants as "malingering," in spite of directions to perform optimally. Practical implications as well as directions for future research are discussed.

There is mounting evidence that employer-provided health insurance is an important factor in recruiting and retaining a competent and motivated direct support workforce within health and human services occupations. A review of the literature in this area, including new information related to the developmental disabilities field, is presented to assist nonprofit employers and government officials in designing initiatives to address increasing health care costs. Approaches to financing health coverage for frontline staff and a new program in New York that will provide subsidies to agencies to enhance existing coverage are discussed.

Lack of sufficient accessible community-based health care services for individuals with developmental disabilities has led to disparities in health outcomes and an overreliance on expensive models of care delivered in hospitals and other safety net or state-subsidized providers. A functioning community-based primary health care model, with an integrated care management component, functioning in the general health care practice marketplace, is described and shown to address recent Surgeon General recommendations as well as evaluative criteria for availability, affordability, acceptability, and appropriateness of care. The model functions in both fee-for-service and managed care environments, including Medicaid managed care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Experience shows this model to be both scalable and replicable, resulting in positive health outcomes and increased patient satisfaction.

People with developmental disabilities sleep less and experience higher incidence of clinical sleep disorders than the general population. Exploring the neurophysiology linking sleep with daytime performance in patients with developmental disabilities is now possible using minimally sufficient sleep and sleep-sensitive behavioral assays. Although frequent sampling represents the primary difficulty, it is required to untangle coincident effects of sleep quality amidst circadian variation. Recent evidence finds high quality sleep promotes brain plasticity, improves health measures, and enriches quality of life. Sleep treatments for apnea, insomnia, restless limbs, and conditioned sleep-aversion are available, although not readily provided, for people with developmental disabilities. This population would gain both clinical and behavioral benefits as improved sleep-monitoring, behavioral testing, and sleep-treatment technology is adapted to their needs.

Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through one-to-one friendships with individuals without disabilities. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with Best Buddies College Program participants located within the United States. Survey findings suggest that college students and people with intellectual disabilities benefited from participation in Best Buddies. The vast majority of college students and people with intellectual disabilities reported enjoying their experience and engaging in friendship activities that were mutually beneficial to those involved. Most people with intellectual disabilities also indicated their lives had been enhanced as a result of Best Buddies, although the percentage was lower than that of college students.