Although older people with developmental disabilities are living longer and appearing more often as social work clients, this population has not been included in preparation for practice with older clients. Issues include relationships within and outside the family, resource availability, and care policies. A model for infusion of these issues…

A model for including information about persons with mental retardation in the social work curriculum is presented. The model focuses on (1) a micro perspective, concerning the individual, family system, and group membership; and (2) a macro perspective, regarding service planning, administration, evaluation, and community organization. (MSE)