The vocational integration of the mentally retarded: a program to develop vocational maturity

In many countries there are minimum standards for entry into vocational training programs, but until now there has been no instrument for determining whether retarded applicants possess the motor skills required to enter and complete such programs. To construct such an instrument, experts representing most of the skilled vocations in West Germany were consulted about typical skills required during the vocational education in their fields. Based on their responses, a catalog of essential skills was compiled and testing procedures (Handwerklich-Motorischer Eignungstest HAMET) were developed to determine vocationally-oriented motor skills for use in diagnostic and remedial programs for the retarded. A test administered to more than 100 mentally retarded youth showed significant and typical deficiencies in motor skills compared with those of non-retarded individuals. By using a factor analysis of the HAMET-items, it was possible to isolate elementary motor functions which are common to all the skilled vocations. Knowledge of these factors made it possible to start one-year training courses to develop vocational maturity. With selected exercises based on the HAMET-items the courses were very successful. In contrast to traditional programs for the mentally retarded it could also be shown that frequent changes of workshops and of vocational education staff are not necessary and that the entire training program can be carried out in one equipped workshop.