Functional and Health Status Characteristics of Persons with Severe Handicaps in New York State

As part of a needs assessment and registry survey of persons with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities in New York State, information became available on 22,256 persons with severe or profound mental retardation. This report presents findings regarding the characteristics of these children and adults in institutional and community settings. A subpopulation of persons with profound disabilities who were additionally classified as physically frail is identified and described in terms of physical and adaptive characteristics, therapeutic service needs, and residential care requirements. The findings underscore the fact that there are differences in service levels and programs among persons who are physically frail within this population.