Obtaining Consumer Input: Two Strategies for Identifying and Ranking the problems of Mentally Retarded Young Adults

The feasibility of using two structured interview techniques to obtain information from mentally retarded adults was explored. The nominal group technique was used to identify major problems faced by 58 mildly or moderately retarded adults in three domains: employment, community living, and social relationships. Problem statements generated by nominal group participants were used to construct a forced choice inventory which was then used to secure problem priority data from an additional 101 mentally retarded adults. Results suggest that both the nominal group technique and forced choice inventory are viable methods for obtaining valid input from habilitation service consumers.