Prevalence and Types of Handicapping Conditions Found in Juvenile Correctional Institutions: a National Survey

P.L. 94-142 mandates services for the (a) educable mentally retarded, (b) trainable mentally retarded, (c) hard of hearing, (d) deaf, (e) visually handicapped, (f) blind, (g) speech impaired, (h) emotionally handicapped, (i) specific learning disabled, (j) orthopedically handicapped, and (k) other health impaired. The act specifically includes handicapped children in juvenile correctional institutions. There is, however, little comprehensive information available as to the present number of these children or the level of education being provided to them. It was felt that this information would be useful with regard to both the question of appropriate education and issues of preventive interventions. A survey was undertaken of all handicapped juvenile offenders committed to state correctional facilities throughout the United States and its territories. Response was extremely high (over 200 facilities). Survey information included statistics related to educational participation, teacher-pupil ratios, fiscal expenditures, and population levels. Findings revealed an excessive number of handicapped children in juvenile correctional institutions (42.4%). The most prevalent types of handicaps were: (a) educable mentally retarded, (b) seriously emotionally disturbed, and (c) specific learning disabled.