Forensic Aspects of Mental Handicap

Areas of need exist where people with a mental handicap experience problems greater than, or differing from, the rest of the population. For example, there is a greater than average incidence of psychiatric disorder in mentally handicapped adults (Heaton-Ward, 1977) and children (Rutter et al, 1970; Gath & Gumley, 1986). Also, their families experience greater psychological distress and require support in their own right (Dupont, 1986; Shulman, 1988).