First published in 1988, Living Skills for Mentally Handicapped People describes the relevant theory, practical skills, likely problems and possible solutions involved in developing an integrated approach to the teaching of independent living skills. It aims to provide staff with sufficient information and understanding to enable them to a) provide the correct training opportunities for each client, b) provide a structured therapeutic training service, and c) develop their own skills further. The main part of the book considers how to develop basic skills such as walking, hand function, sensory awareness and communication, to intermediate skills such as play, interaction and self-care, and advanced skills such as literacy, numeracy, social skills, independent living and working skills. It also introduces basic principles of objective assessment and evaluation and encourages staff to define the reasons for the training opportunities they provide by using aims and objectives, and appropriate planning/evaluation systems for both individual and group training.
