THE ADMINISTRATIVE PREVALENCE OF MENTAL-RETARDATION IN 10-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN IN METROPOLITAN ATLANTA, 1985 THROUGH 1987

Objectives. In this study, data from the Metropolitan Atlanta Developm ental Disabilities Study were used to determine the administrative pre valence (i.e., the number of children previously identified for servic e provision) of mental retardation among 10-year-old children during t he years 1985 through 1987. Methods. Children with mental retardation (intelligence quotient [IQ] of 70 or lower) were identified by review of records from multiple sources, with the public schools as the prima ry source. Results. The overall administrative prevalence of mental re tardation was 12.0 per 1000 children. The rate for mild mental retarda tion (IQ of 50 to 70) was 8.4 per 1000 and the rate for severe mental retardation (IQ lower than 50) was 3.6 per 1000. The prevalence was hi gher in Black children than in White children (prevalence odds ratio [ POR] = 2.7) and in boys than in girls (POR = 1.4). Children with sever e mental retardation had more coexisting disabilities than did childre n with mild mental retardation. Conclusions The mental retardation pre valence rates reported here, especially the race-specific rates, may r eflect social and demographic features unique to the metropolitan Atla nta area and therefore should be used with caution in making compariso ns with other populations.