COMMUNITY CARE OF THE MENTALLY DEFECTIVE
EDWARD J. HUMPHREYS M. D.1
1 Director of Research, Letchworth Village, Thiells, N. Y.
This paper presents the thesis that the subnormal should receive much more adequate community care and suggests certain possibilities for increasing the effectiveness of the treatment of this group. This thesis is developed by:
(a) A general review of the estimated numerical extent of the subnormal in the total population with stress laid upon the degree to which the community is involved in the problem of the subnormal.
(b) A suggested classification of the subnormal in the community on the basis of need for care and treatment according to which defectives would be assigned for (1) state school for mental defectives, (2) special institutional care, (3) community care.
It is suggested that improved treatment will result from:
(a) An enlargement of the concept of psychiatric work which will deal with the problems of the subnormal in more inclusive aspects, particularly as they are related to education and to economic adjustment.
(b) A comprehensive state and community program of research, mental hygiene, education and social planning for the subnormal.
