Mild mental handicap and special-education need - a social-process perspective

Abstract

Abstract: The findings to be reported are those of a study of the process of ascertainment as mildly and mentally handicapped within the national school system in Ireland. The purpose of the study was to explore the operation of demographic, adaptive and situational factors as they interact with one another and with clinical factors at various stages throughout the process. It emerges that the factors assuming importance at different stages do vary; this variation is discussed. In particular, the central role of socio-economic status is discussed. In explaining the findings, the structure of primary educational services is briefly discussed with regard to adequacy in meeting special educational needs.