tivities, usually with only one or two others unless guided into group activity; has preferences for some persons over others.
Feeds self with spoon (cereals, soft foods) with considerable spilling or messiness; drinks unassisted; can pull off clothing and put on some (socks, underclothes, boxer pants, dress); tries to help with bath or hand washing but still needs considerable help; indicates toilet accident and may indicate toilet need.
Can climb up and down stairs but not alternating feet; can run and jump; may balance briefly on one foot; can pass a ball to others; transfers objects: may do simple form-board puzzles without aid.
Second-to-fifth grade achievement in school academic areas can eventually be expected. Social adjustment will permit some degree of independence in the community. Can reach occupational sufficiency that will permit partial or total self-support.
Methods For Educating Parents to Issues
Even before the specifics of mainstreaming are addressed, there are some important issues which John's parents must face because facing these matters will, in turn, assist parents in building a strong foundation upon which they can work with and for their child within the educational system. According to Chinn, Winn and Walters (1978), one of these important pre-mainstreaming issues is the fact that the parents of retarded children need to be educated about their own reactions to the child and the effects of these reactions on all family members.
In terms of educational specifics, Chinn (1979) has noted that parents need to know that the presence of a retarded child in the family as well as the behaviors and skills needed for working with the situation do not need to create a family crisis. John's parents must be told of the wide variety of professional services available to help them to cope with the situation and thereby avert a crisis mentality. Further, they need to be encouraged to use these profess...