OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH RETARDATION - FAMILY DECISION-MAKING AND SATISFACTION

Despite public policy supporting home-care for children with mental re tardation some families still seek but-of-home placement. Sixty-two fa milies that had recently placed their children were interviewed about their experiences. Placement generally followed a gradual build up of child-related stress. Parents reported high satisfaction with the plac ement and positive family adaptation following placement Family experi ences generally were not related to the child's age, level of retardat ion, or behavior problems, or to the size of the placement facility.