Date of Award
1967
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Sociology
First Reader
Professor Juanita Sandford
Abstract
For my special studies paper in honors, I chose as my subject, mental retardation. Although this is a rather broad area, I limited my research to a class of mentally retarded children in an elementary school in Southwest Arkansas.
Now, let's take a glimpse into another world--one we seldom see. This class, from all external appearances, seems to be just an ordinary classroom filled with fourteen smiling faces; loving, and eager to learn. As you step inside, you are greeted by each one and quickly sense their curiosity. They are all very friendly and want very much to have your friendship and try very hard to gain it, each one in his own way. This class consists of nine boys and five girls. There are four Negro children in the class-- two girls and two boys. The children range in chronological age from 6 to 13 years, but the average mental age is between 3 and 8 years. All the children get along splendidly and there is no friction between them at all--not even between the races. The Negro children bicker among themselves but this is probably just their nature and what they experience at home.
Recommended Citation
Kimbrough, Carol, "A Glimpse into Another World: A class of mentally retarded children" (1967). Honors Theses. 385.
https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/honors_theses/385