A conceptual model for improving the social life of individuals with mental retardation

Fostering and improving the social relationships of individuals with disabilities have become recognized as legitimate roles for service providers. This is, in part, a logical outgrowth of a shift from services that emphasized health, safety, and skill development to services whose mission is seen as also including "lifestyle support." In this paper we reviewed ways in which social life has been conceptualized and measured and suggested how such concepts might be integrated into a comprehensive model to spur research and development benefitting individuals with mental retardation.