DIFFICULT BEHAVIOUR AT HOME: a domiciliary service for handicapped children

A home visiting service for parents whose mentally handicapped children were exhibiting difficult behaviour at home is described, with details of providing the service to 33 families with children aged from 3 to 15 years. The most frequent problems were socially unacceptable behaviour and incontinence, but self-help, communication, and play skills were also tackled. Visits were usually made every 3 to 4 weeks for periods from 3 to 27 months. Targets were achieved or some progress was gained in over two-thirds of the problems tackled. An average of eight hours was spent with each family. Home visiting proved as efficient as parent groups when measured by targets achieved as a function of parent and therapist time.