A Difficult Age? Occupational Therapy with Mentally Handicapped Adolescents

This article discusses the general and specific aims of the occupational therapy programme provided for ten mentally handicapped adolescents. It describes the group activities used, as well as outlining two individual programmes. The occupational therapist works with the other members of the team in both programme planning and implementation, particularly the nursing staff. The article concludes that it is important for all involved in the care and teaching of these residents to understand the aims of the occupational therapy programmes.