NCJ Number
65322
Date Published
1972
Length
266 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK APPROACHES THE PRINCIPLE OF NORMALIZATION AS A SYSTEM OF HUMAN MANAGEMENT, INTERPRETS ITS SCANDINAVIAN ORIGINS FOR A NORTH AMERICAN AUDIENCE, AND RELATES IT TO OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCE DISCIPLINES.
Abstract
NORMALIZATION IS THE PROVISION OF PATTERNS AND CONDITIONS OF EVERYDAY LIFE FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED WHICH ARE AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE PATTERNS OF THE MAINSTREAM OF SOCIETY. REFORMULATED IN THIS TREATISE, NORMALIZATION SHOULD AIM AT PERSONAL BEHAVIORS AND CHARACTERISTICS WHICH ARE AS CULTURALLY NORMATIVE AS POSSIBLE, AND ARRIVED AT THROUGH THE USE OF CULTURALLY NORMATIVE MEANS. THUS, DEVIANT PERSONS SHOULD BE HELPED TO LOOK AND BEHAVE IN A WAY APPROPRIATE FOR THAT CULTURE FOR PERSONS OF SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS AGE AND SEX. NORMALIZATION INVOLVES INTERACTION WITH OTHERS. CONTACT OCCURS AT THREE LEVELS: (1) WITH INDIVIDUALS; (2) WITH PRIMARY SOCIAL SYSTEMS SUCH AS THE DEVIANT'S FAMILY, PEER GROUP, CLASSROOM, SCHOOL, NEIGHBORHOOD, AND PLACE OF WORK; AND (3) WITH THE RELEVANT SOCIETAL SOCIAL SYSTEMS, SUCH AS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OF A PROVINCE, THE LAWS OF THE LAND, AND THE MORES OF A SOCIETY. INTEGRATION MUST BE BOTH PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL AND THUS HAS IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND RESIDENTIAL-ARCHITECTURAL CONTEXTS. ADDITIONAL SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMAN SERVICE FIELDS IMPLICATED AND DISCUSSED IN DETAIL ARE MENTAL HEALTH, SERVICES FOR THE MULTIHANDICAPPED, BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION, AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND NEEDS OF THE IMPAIRED ARE DEFENDED IN TERMS OF THE RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION AND SOCIOSEXUAL NEEDS. SPECIAL IMPLEMENTIVE STRATEGIES ARE DELINEATED THAT INVOLVE BOTH PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS AND CITIZENS. PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT AND SOURCES OF FUNDING ARE DISCUSSED AS FINAL AND VITAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION. REFERENCES AND SUBJECT AND NAME INDEXES ARE PROVIDED.