Parent Education Project. I: Development and nurturance of children of mentally retarded parents.

The development and home environments of 12, 2-year-old children raised by mentally retarded mothers were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the Caldwell Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory. Results indicated that the children were at-risk for developmental delay, particularly in language. The child's cognitive development was significantly correlated with (a) whether the mother had a previous child removed from the home by child protection authorities and (b) HOME Inventory total scores. Analyses of HOME subscales revealed that mothers who were involved, responsive, and restrictive and punishing had children with higher Bayley Mental Development Index scores.