Graduate Research Papers

Availability

Open Access Graduate Research Paper

Abstract

Currently, the care of individuals diagnosed with mental retardation is moving toward meeting their needs in the least restrictive environment. Mildly retarded individuals are being guided away from the custodial care of institutions to normalized apartment settings. This integration into the mainstream of society, which allows the retarded individuals to lead as normal a life as possible, is the goal of normalization process. An expected outcome of community living is that these individuals will have increased opportunities to meet people and develop relationships. Living and working in a more free environment is a great challenge for the individual with mental retardation. One of the emergent problems from this change is the individual's apparent need to develop an understanding of appropriate interpersonal skills. This paper describes six current models in teaching interpersonal skills to individuals diagnosed with mental retardation to enable them to establish social relationships in general and appropriate dating relationships in particular. All models discussed here use a group format in some capacity, but seem to vary in their methods of teaching the appropriate interpersonal skills. Methods used in these models include: problem-solving, role- playing, feedback, therapist modeling, relaxation techniques, and facilitating a better understanding of one's feelings. Also included is the author's assessment of the models and conclusion.

Year of Submission

1999

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education

First Advisor

Wanpen Murgatroyd

Second Advisor

Thaddeus Rozecki

Comments

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Date Original

1999

Object Description

1 PDF file (22 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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