Follow-up studies of a representative sample of children with severe mental handicap in Poland.

ABSTRACT

A representative sample of 260 Polish children, aged 5-14 years, identified between 1964 and 1965 in an epidemiological study as severely mentally handicapped (IQs ranging from 0 to 51) were followed up twice (I) after 10 years (in 1975-1976); and (II) after 23 years (in 1987-1988). At both follow-ups, all surviving subjects were contacted, and psychological and sociological data were gathered; the findings presented here pertain mostly to follow-up II. The great majority of subjects (85%) lived with their families, and the remainder resided in an institution. Only 10% of subjects (living with one exception in families) currently had a higher level of intellectual functioning than that of severe mental handicap. Among this group were individuals of relatively better health, without speech disorders, who had attended schools, had some vocational training, had been or were employed, and had families of their own, i.e. were self-dependent with a life-style similar to that of other people of their age and social background. Of the remainder, about 40% retained the same relative level of intellectual and social functioning, and about 50% deteriorated, particularly those in institutions. This latter group has remained in the role of permanent children, depending on others for care and maintenance.