A STUDY OF PERSONS WITH SEVERE MENTAL RETARDATION AND MULTIPLE DISABILITES

Service facilities for persons with severe mental retardation and multiple disabilities are meagre. The present study aims at analysing the problems of persons with severe mental retardation and multiple disabilities in terms of presenting complaints, previous consultations, aetiological factors and associated problems. Persons with severe mental retardation and multiple disabilities numbering 164 who sought services at NIMH over a period of 15 months were studied. They formed 22% of the total number of mentally retarded individuals registered during the period. The major presenting complaints were in the areas of sell help, language, epilepsy, motor problems and behaviour problems. Infection in Drain, birth anoxia and trauma were major aetiological categories in addition to a large number forming unknown category. Suitable service delivery models are suggested lot this population.