SOCIAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT AND THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Approximately 2000 children and adults with a learning disability in a Health and Social Services Board in Northern ireland were assessed il l terms of social competence and degrees of maladaptive behaviour., Of special concern was the community-based population who require total personal care and intense supervision (14 per cent of the total). Hosp italised adults differed significantly in terms of both adaptive and m aladaptive behaviours from the community-based population. Amongst com munity-based clients, 85 children and adults were identified as presen ting with ''serious'' or ''very serious'' maladaptive behaviours Their Future anl I that of hospital residents was discussed in the context of the deinstitutionalisation movement. The information collected in t his survey should be a useful data source for planners and providers.