An analysis of reasons for institutionalizing children with mongolism

Congenitally Absent Permanent Teeth Among Mongols and Their Sibs*

“…It is an important question, nevertheless, to ask if there are real differences, e.g., in the severity of mongolism syndrome, that distinguish between the types of mongols who are either institutionalised or remain at home. Kugel, Fedge, Trembath and Hein (1964) have suggested that reasons for institutionalisation are largely social in nature; and such a conclusion would seem to minimise any such differences. In fact, little difference was noted in the prevalence of agenesia for the two groups of mongols in this study.…”

Stress in Families of the Developmentally Disabled: A Literature Review of Factors Affecting the Decision to Seek Out-of-Home Placements

“…Because of the difficulties encountered during the period of crisis around the diagnosis, families frequently turn to persons outside the family for advice and support, and are sometimes greatly influenced by these advisers. Several studies have suggested that the decision to institutionalize may be a direct result of professional or medical advice and not a function of client disability, family stress, or inability to cope (Andrew, Kime, Stehman, & Jaslow, 1965; Appell & Tisdal, 1968;Kugel et al, 1964) Supportive intervention by professionals and community groups should occur at the time of diagnosis with the recognition that adjustment in families of developmentally disabled persons will be a long term and difficult process. As studies have indicated, individuals with developmental disabilities cannot be treated by medical or other professionals in isolation without consideration for the total family and community environment in which the individual resides.…”

“…The rate of institutionalization is higher for lower class families (Allen, 1972;Fotheringham et al, 1972, Hobbs, 1964Kugel et al, 1964;Maney et al, 1964;Saenger, 1960;Shellhaas & Nihira, 1969). Although quantitative studies of the financial strain of raising a retarded child are lacking, there are suggestions in the literature and from the direct observations of practitioners that the economic burden of caring for a developmentally disabled child is undoubtedly much more demanding for lower class families.…”

“…First, client characteristics such as level of disability, IQ and functioning are highly related to placement decisions made by families of disabled members (Allen, 1972;Downey, 1965;Janicki, 1981;Kugel, Fedge, Trembath, & Hein, 1964;Maney, Pace, & Morrison, 1964;Saenger, 1960;Shellhaas & Nihira, 1969). The second point to be culled from the literature is that client characteristics, by themselves, do not provide a total explanation for why some disabled individuals are placed while others successfully remain with their families in the community (Farber, 1968 Sexton, 1980).…”