Nonambulatory persons with profound mental retardation: physical, developmental, and behavioral characteristics

Although profound mental retardation is generally associated with various organic etiologies that result in substantial cognitive and behavioral deficits, little is known about specific subgroups of persons with profound mental retardation. This study presents data on the physical, developmental, and behavioral characteristics of a group of 203 nonambulatory persons with profound mental retardation residing within a specialized service setting. The results indicate that nonambulatory persons with profound mental retardation have a high prevalence of physical and medical problems along with high rates of self-injurious, stereotypic, and aggressive behavior. Assessment results from the Stanford-Binet (L-M), Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Mental Scale, and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale reveal a high degree of variability in cognitive and adaptive functioning. However, developmental age-equivalent scores of cognitive ability, communication, daily living, socialization, and motor skills for the group fell below the 1-year level. The data illustrate the complexity of needs in providing habilitative services to nonambulatory persons with profound mental retardation.