This paper examines procedures utilized in five social systems in affixing the label of disability on a sample of the developmentally disabled in three counties located in a Southern state. The social systems are: medical clinics, public schools, governmental and semigovernmental agencies, civic organizations, and families and neighbors. The…

This study investigated effects of preperformance information on actual classroom teacher's expectations and attributions for a hypothetical male student. Teachers were found to have higher expectations for students with ascending performance patterns, and for students labeled learning disabled rather than mildly retarded. (Author/LMO)

Current methods of classifying moderately educational subnormal [ESN (M)] children do not distinguish between organic and cultural causes of moderate retardation. Two experimental studies, based on the techniques of Vygotsky, are described as an attempt to move toward redefinition of this classification. (Note: Page f...=fiche numbers.) (BW)

The author discusses attitude formation and attitude change and suggests how administrators, teachers, and counselors can help change negative attitudes toward the handicapped and develop positive ones. (KC)

The Tamang of the Kathmandu Valley have an agrarian society with little demand for literacy and schooling, yet they recognize and label mental retardation. The criteria for labeling are based partially upon insufficiency of intelligence and behavioral adaptation but primarily upon speech incompetence. (Author)

This commentary discusses whether the American Association on Mental Retardation should change its name. It argues that the term "mental retardation" has become a potent, utterly dismissive invective in the mouths of adults and school children and should be replaced with the term "intellectual disability". (Contains 1…

This commentary discusses whether the American Association on Mental Retardation should change its name. It suggests that it is time for a name change, however, the term "mental retardation" should be kept for diagnostic and entitlement purposes until such time as a better term is found and accepted. (Contains references.) (CR)

This commentary discusses whether the American Association on Mental Retardation should change its name. It offers some ideas on how society might think about elemental change in terminology so a healthy outcome can be achieved without simply rearranging prejudices. The term "cognitive- adaptive disability" is proposed. (Contains three…

From a disability studies (DS) perspective, the authors analyze how the historical conflation of disability with other identity factors and the ideology of normalcy contribute to the disproportionality problem in K-12 special education. They argue that this conflation and ideology make labeling and segregated education seem natural and legitimate…

The concept of "adult status" for young people with disabilities is explored in terms of its social, psychological, legal, and policy implications. The report argues that traditionally institutionalized rehabilitation techniques, whether in education, vocational training, or sheltered employment, have tended not to encourage autonomy and…

The study involving 16 male Mexican American students and 16 Anglo students (10-12 years old) who had been categorized as educable mentally handicapped (EMH) was conducted to examine the relationship between special education labels and race, and student and teacher perception on scores of the Modified Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI). The teacher…

The author uses a behavioral model to discuss probable and demonstrable conditions through which retardation might develop. Noted are criteria for etiological classification and explained are four reasons why terms such as cultural deprivation should not be used to label mentally retarded individuals. The need to consider developmental retardation…

Poor academic performance can result from single, multiple, interacting, and unknown causes, rather than being an entity with a specific cause and course. It is better to adopt a descriptive approach and define retardation as relative failure on a cluster of socially determined behaviors, varying over cultures and over time. (Author)

Three trends in adaptive behavior measurement are noted: (1) an awareness of the paucity of suitable scales; (2) sensitivity to the effects of adaptive behavior in the declassification of students previously labeled under outdated procedures; and (3) the use of measures for identification and intervention with emotionally disturbed students.…

A program in dental care for the handicapped offered at the University of North Carolina is described. Results of a survey of program participants over a five-year period indicates that the program results in decreased fear and anxiety about treating handicapped patients. (JMF)