Psychotic behaviour in children and young adults in a mental handicap hostel

One hundred and twelve children and young adults living in a long-stay hostel for the mentally handicapped were examined with regard to problems of social relationships, speech and language, and behaviour. Exactly half of the population showed severe impairment of social interaction. The socially impaired persons very often had severe speech/language and behavioural difficulties as well. A small number of classically autistic persons were identified. The results lend support to the view that infantile autism is but one behavioural syndrome along a continuum of triads of language and social impairments as outlined by Lorna Wing.