GROUP ACTION IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE MENTALLY RETARDED

Abstract

One of the primary problems in the vocational rehabilitation of the mentally retarded has been found by numerous investigators to -be a chronic lack of basic social skills, social immaturity, insecurity and ineptness in interpersonal relationships and situations, and difficulty in getting along with fellow trainees or employees. Engel (4) and Rockower ( 10) have suggested that these factors are often the critical needs of the mentally retarded and are also important determinants of the success or failure of rehabilitation with such a population. Rockower has considered the social maturity of a mentally retarded individual to be "A valid basis upon which a work prognosis may in part be predicated." "The retarded group is peculiarly lacking in a readiness to assume work responsibilities for reasons other than job skills per se. Job readiness requires the development of work motivation, proper work habits, the practice of regularity of attendance and acceptable social relationships with others." (10, p. 128). In addition he states, "Adaptation to work situations generally involves the abilities to develop work habits and to get along well in group relationships." Frequently a mentally retarded individual will have had very little successful experience in interpersonal relationships. He is insecure in group relationships because of the knowledge that he is in some ways inferior to others. Consequently he seeks to avoid such threatening conditions or settles into a passive role. Possibly this is the result of unpleasant associations in his school experiences or in employment situations 'where he has worked with other people and suffered in the unfavorable light of unjust comparison. Under such circumstances the individual does not actually prefer to be alone or to content himself with solitary pursuits, but retreats in this direction to avoid further social failure. This study is the report of a project initiated in an attempt to diagnose and treat the social problems of a group of mentally retarded adolescents who are trainees at the Laradon Hall Occupational Center, Denver, Colorado.