A questionnaire queried 203 international professionals working in the area of mental retardation/developmental disabilities to assess the meaning of 10 quality of life (QOL) concepts across seven cultures. Differences found between Japan and the other countries are discussed in terms of individualistic and collective cultures. (Author/CR)

This study examined the plans for transition from parental care made by parents of 62 older adults with mental retardation and found that few parents had made comprehensive plans but most had nominated someone to take over responsibility for the person with mental retardation. These key person succession plans were an effective form of planning.…

A study of 15 preschool children with autism found that the majority were able to identify preferred peers and that participation in a social skills program, in addition to an early intervention program, led to increases in skills that could be observed in the generalization setting. (Author/CR)

The Lifestyle Satisfaction Scale (LSS) has been found among American samples to be influenced by types of accommodation (representing variations in level of lifestyle restriction). This study of 46 adults with mental retardation in Australia supported the discriminate validity of the LSS, and identified ways in which location and other factors…

The United Kingdom literature on effects of deinstitutionalization of adults with developmental disabilities from 1980 to 1994 was reviewed. Analysis generally associated smaller, community-based residential services with improvements in user engagement, adaptive behaviors and challenging behaviors, community acceptance and integration,…

Service providers (n=63) were interviewed regarding menstrual management decision making for women with intellectual disabilities. The interviews focused on decision-making bases, opinions about decision-making processes, enhancing practical support for the young women and their families, and reviewing staff training and service delivery.…

Individual Program Plans (n=163) from adults with developmental disabilities receiving community living support services in Australia were analyzed. While plans prepared by nongovernmental agencies were generally superior to governmental agency plans, the average level of plan presentation was poor. Only 14% of the plans offered any criterion for…

This paper describes an initiative launched in New South Wales, Australia, in 1989 to help students with disabilities move from school to community settings. The program established partnerships among schools, communities, service providers, and government agencies, resulting in smoother transitions and improved postschool options and quality of…

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 Australian adults with intellectual disabilities to assess their values, views, and preferences regarding home, work, leisure, and relationships. Results found discrepancies between their lifestyle conditions and preferences and the principles and values of some programming philosophies adopted by…

Six boys with moderate intellectual disability were instructed in single-word reading and either picture labeling or simple reading comprehension. Subjects were assessed in all three skill areas. Results indicated that the four subjects who attained proficiency in trained tasks were successful in learning the untrained areas (a generalized…

A survey of 20 health districts in England identified specialist services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviors. Great diversity was found in such services as specialized teams, staffed housing, assessment and short-term admission, and respite care facilities. Entitlement to appropriate treatment was more…

Fifty-five mothers of young children with Down syndrome completed the Parenting Stress Index. Low internal reliability coefficient for the Adaptability/Plasticity Child Domain subscale was found. Factor analysis of the scale found that the Adaptability/Plasticity factor did not perform as a unidimensional structure, but provided information on…