Career paths through mental retardation services: an epidemiological perspective.

Children born during a five year period, resident in a British city, and administratively defined as mentally retarded were followed up at age 22. Age specific prevalence rates ranged from 2.5/1000 at age 5 to 14.7/1000 at age 11. The various mental retardation services for children and adults are described and the frequencies with which different paths through services were followed are given. Almost three-quarters of those who had been at a school for educable, mentally retarded children received no services in the young adult period. The distributions of various associated disabilities among those receiving different services after leaving school are given. These illustrate the multiple problems presented by those who continue to require services in adulthood. The epidemiologic data presented provide a basis for estimating service needs.