Research reports from D.H. Ingram and co-authors provide new insights into mental retardation
2007 NOV 19 -- According to recent research from the United States, "Elementary school children with normal intelligence and autism (n = 20), mental retardation and no autism (n = 24), and typical development (n = 37) were observed for 15 minutes during recess at school. Ten behaviors were scored as present or absent using the Playground Observation Checklist." "Children with autism were distinguished from children with mental retardation and typical development by their social problems, whereas children with typical development and mental retardation did not differ significantly in social competency. The four social behaviors on the checklist correctly identified 94 percent of the children as having or not having autism. All of the children with autism and all of the typical children were correctly classified," wrote D.H. Ingram and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "Our pilot findings suggest that the Playground Observation Checklist has potential as a simple and clinically useful component of a comprehensive evaluation for possible autism." Ingram and colleagues published their study in Autism (Assessing children with autism, mental retardation, and typical development using the Playground Observation Checklist. Autism, 2007;11(4):311-319). For additional information, contact S.D. Mayes, Milton S Hershey Med Center, Dept. of Psychiatry H073, POB 850, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. Publisher contact information for the journal Autism is: Sage Publications Ltd., 1 Olivers Yard, 55 City Road, London EC1Y 1SP, England. Keywords: United States, Hershey, Developmental Disabilities, Mental Retardation. This article was prepared by Mental Health Weekly Digest editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Mental Health Weekly Digest via NewsRx.com.
|
