Understanding Quality in the Life-Styles of Persons With Mental Retardation

Reviews the book, Quality of Life: Perspectives and Issues edited by Robert L. Schalock (see record 1990-98020-000). Schalock and Begab have assembled a 21-chapter review of a fledgling but no less important subject: quality of life for persons with mental retardation. The editors provide a wide range of viewpoints including those of consumers (persons with mental retardation and family members) as well as researchers and practitioners. The book is organized in four parts: Consumer perspectives and future trends sandwich issues related to service delivery and measurement. Some of the stories told in Part 1 are compelling. Compared with Part 1, the contents of Parts 2, 3, and 4 are less compelling. Little in the way of concrete measurement or service delivery strategies is presented. This book is recommended with fair warning to the reader that much has been left unsaid and that much remains to be done relative to the issue of quality in the lifestyles of persons with mental retardation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)