Abstract:

Studies of deinstitutionalization of people with developmental disability are reviewed. Positive effects on the skills and behaviour, level of activity and social interaction and the general quality of life of relocated subjects have been generally obtained in these studies. In particular, an association has been demonstrated between normalization of the environment and improvements in adaptive behaviour. The outcome for those with severe maladaptive behaviours and for profoundly multiple disabled people is less positive, but there is some evidence that under certain conditions they too can show improvements in their functioning when transferred to community-supported residences. The relevance of these findings for the current debate on deinstitutionalization of developmentally disabled people in Australia is discussed.