The Verbose Mal-Communicative Mentally Retarded Resident

Problems of the over-talkative but mal-communicative mentally retarded resident of an institution were analyzed to provide techniques for handling this type of behavior. The basic goal was stated as making their communication relevant. A secondary goal was to make them socially acceptable in their environment so that they were not isolated, beaten up, punished or ignored by staff and peers. Twelve suggestions were given to aid in meeting these goals. Case history data were employed based upon 19 years of observation at the Columbus State Institute for the mentally retarded located in Columbus, Ohio.