On the threshold of adult life: Dis-course and life course of mental retardation in American culture

"""On the Threshold of Adult Life"" is a study of the transition to adult life of persons with mild mental retardation in American culture. The analysis combines a discourse and life course approach based on (a) ethnographic work with twelve individuals, parents and school or agency personnel, (b) historical research of mental retardation, and (c) life transition. Through interdisciplinary work, the study adds to a dynamic anthropological approach to life transitions by taking into account the impact of history and specialized population on the nature of a recognized life transition. An understanding of the phenomenon of life transition suggests a revision of current policy and practice. The development of transition mediation is proposed and can not be limited to the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process. The use of ethnographic and historical methods and the analysis of discourse and life course issues broadens the intellectual basis for future scholarly work on the life transitions of persons with disabilities."

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Anthropology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Devlieger, Patrick Joseph

Contributors dc:contributor

• Riley, Thomas J.

• Anthropology, Cultural
• Social Work
• Education, Special
• Sociology, Individual and Family Studies

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1995 Devlieger, Patrick Joseph

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9543568
(UMI)AAI9543568

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/20560