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Biomedical subjects

E E Balthazar

Publications and source records attributed to E E Balthazar.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

Some correlates of language deterioration in severely and profoundly retarded long-term institutionalized residents.

Progress or deterioration in language use was observed in two samples of retarded institutionalized residents. One sample was observed twice, and the other three times, at 5-year intervals. We coded change in language use as noncommunicating, regressed irregular, stable, or progressed. Change in language use was found to be related to two indicators of intellectual capacity. Central nervous system involvement may play a part in irregular or totally absent communication. Institutional policies regarding transfer of residents also affect the apparent language deficit in longer-term residents.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1976

Social adjustment in more severely retarded, institutionalized individuals: the sum of adjusted behavior.

A measure which is used to count kinds of social behavior in more severely mentally retarded residents was described in this study. The measure is an aggregate or sum, and it is referred to as the Sum of Adjusted Behavior. In this study, we determined measures of social adjustment which are useful for obtaining population parameters. Data concerning the relationship between the Sum of Adjusted Behavior and CA to MA, age at time of institutionalization, gender, medical diagnosis, medication, and social behavior were discussed. The relationships between adjustment and adaptive behavior were also defined on the basis of the findings.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1975

Provision of a language index for severely and profoundly retarded individuals.

The development of habilitative language programming for severely and profoundly retarded individuals requires detailed knowledge of their current levels of competence. Specific information is needed regarding the particular language skills characteristically displayed, the frequency with which such skills are used, and the proportion of severely retarded individuals who evidence linguistic abilities at the various levels. An index of language proficiency has been developed utilizing a standardized system of direct observation of subjects in their usual, familiar environment. Data on a group of ambulant, institutionalized, severely and profoundly retarded individuals were described. Some type of vocal or gestural communication was observed for about 75 percent of the subjects; almost 60 percent evidenced some vocal or verbal expression. One in four subjects demonstrated meaningful, articulate speech. Associations between language and factors such as sex, chronological and mental age, diagnosis, and biosocial history were investigated. Implications of these findings were discussed in relation to programs for language development.

Adaptation, Psychological↗