Jack A. Stark

Diagnosis and management of depression and suicidal behavior in persons with severe mental retardation

This paper analyzes the suicidal behavior of eight individuals with mental retardation identified out of a pool of 305 persons with an accepted concomitant diagnosis of mental illness. They had been referred to an inpatient psychiatric facility for diagnosis and treatment. Analysis of each of these complex individuals is presented in conjunction with treatment strategies. A 5-year follow-up was conducted to assess the progress of these persons. Diagnostic challenges and future programmatic implications are presented.

Employment Options for Adults with Developmental Disabilities: A Conceptual Model

There are many paths which one may take when entering the world of work. The conceptual model put forth here, Pathways to Employment, is one which looks at the common avenues available to achieving greater economic self-sufficiency through employment for adults with developmental disabilities. The model acknowledges individual differences among those who enter the employment decision-making process while stressing the concept of the availability of simultaneous choices or paths for the individual. Employment is thus presented as a dynamic rather than a static process. The model has broad application and looks to employment or supported employment as a means to an end and not an end in and of itself. The challenge is to access the real work environment and to provide enough support that the individual will realize an increased level of economic self-sufficiency.

Prevocational and vocational education for special needs youth : a blueprint for the 1980s

Prevocational and vocational education for special needs youth , Prevocational and vocational education for special needs youth , کتابخانه مرکزی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی ایران

Mental Retardation and Mental Illness in the Year 2000: Issues and Trends

Identifying the issues, trends, and events that will affect persons with mental retardation and mental illness by the year 2000 presents the authors of this chapter, who bring 50 years of combined experience of specialization with this subpopulation, a challenging and unique opportunity to present what we feel could and should happen to this group of individuals.

Transitional Services in the Habilitation of Mentally Retarded Individuals with Mental Health Needs

In the 1970s and first half of the 1980s, mainstreaming was the major new focus of our educational system in providing services to disabled children and adolescents. During the next 10 to 15 years, transitional services will be the primary new emphasis of our school programs. Evidence of this new emphasis is already apparent in funding allocations by the Directors of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services and Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Both of these directors have jointly pooled funds to encourage individual states, via financial incentives, to reevaluate their success at transitioning disabled individuals from school programs into residential and vocational service systems in cooperation with other state and local agencies.

Training of Psychiatrists in Mental Retardation

This paper addresses the increasing demand for psychiatric care of the mentally retarded population and the need to provide training to residents and practicing psychiatrists. As a result of extensive training experiences and research over the last three decades via a residency program and continuing education courses, recommendations are suggested regarding curricula strategies and diagnostic/treatment approaches to this population. Specific training experiences are also analyzed suggesting both the quantity and quality of experiences necessary to gain competency in this growing and challenging population.

Treatment Strategies in the Habilitation of Severely Mentally Retarded-Mentally Ill Adolescents and Adults

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an analysis of habilitation (prevo-cational and vocational) intervention strategies for severely mentally retarded and mentally ill adolescents and adults. Educators, rehabilitation specialists, and community agencies are faced with a growing and critical problem in meeting the needs of this population. Because of recent legislative, judicial, and consumer advocacy pressure, these persons are beginning to be served in the mainstream of community life. However, even today, some professionals consider persons with these special needs as too severely handicapped to receive prevocational or vocational training. Because community agencies are faced with an increasing need to serve these individuals, new treatment strategies must be developed to meet their needs. Unless such strategies are developed, many of these persons will continue to be placed in nursing facilities or other long-term care institutions. In addition, it is the authors’ intent that this chapter provide a framework for understanding the overall problems, needs, techniques, strategies, issues, and new findings in serving this challenging population.