Application of Orem's self-care model to nursing practice in developmental disability.

Orem's self-care model of nursing is analysed and applied to nursing practice within developmental disability services. A high degree of compatibility is found between Orem's model and current philosophies and practices in the field. Particular attention is focused on the relationship between Orem's concept of normalcy and the principle of 'normalization' which acts as the foundation of most modern services for people with developmental disabilities. A discussion of Orem's nursing systems and their interpretation in terms of the 'least restrictive alternative' is also given.