Physical and Motor Development in Mental Retardation.

Vermeer A, Davis WE, eds, PO Box CH-400, Basel, Switzerland, Karger, 1995, hardback, 209 pp, $207.

This text is designed to present the main elements of current research in the field of motor development in persons with mental retardation. It is based on presentations made at the Ninth World Congress of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Mental Disability (IASSMD) and on other invited papers. To cover a wide range of topics, contributors to the text come from a variety of disciplines and countries, providing a "global" nature to the text.

The range of topics covered in the text is comprehensive, including theories of ecological task analysis, "delayed" versus "different" motor development, developmental issues specific to individuals with Down's syndrome, psychosocial considerations in motor development, growth patterns in individuals with Down's syndrome, behavioral technology, health and fitness, and the effect of exercise on cognitive processing.

The presentation style varies with the chapter, author, and topic. Some chapters are written in the style of research reports. Other chapters review current literature, present philosophical and theoretical underpinnings, or provide descriptive information m a particular subject area. The use of multiple authors provides expert presentation in a number of different areas. The format, however, does have its drawbacks. Certain information is repeated, particularly in the area of motor development in Down's syndrome, and writing styles are inconsistent.

The authors assume that the reader has a background in normal and atypical motor development and some familiarity with the theory and research in the areas of mental retardation. Information in the motor development section will not be entirely new to experienced pediatric physical therapists; however, it will be beneficial reading for therapists new to the field of pediatrics. In addition, therapists may benefit from the chapters on the older child and adolescent, as well as the section on health and fitness and the influence of exercise on cognitive processing.

The chapters and research reports contain exhaustive and current references that provide a historical perspective in each area and examine current research and theories. This could prove to be a helpful resource for individuals interested in further study and research. References to the role of physical therapy in the treatment of individuals with mental retardation vary with the topic of the chapter and include the works of Bobath, VanSant, Conolly, Harris, Lydic, Shumway-Cook, and Steele.

Overall, the text is well written and has appeal for individuals from a variety of disciplines, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, human movement scientists, adaptive physical education teachers, and early interventionists. It may be helpful as a background reference, particularly for individuals working with a large population of individuals with mental retardation. It is not recommended as a primary resource for physical therapy students or entry-level clinicians.

In addition, the wide scope of this book limits the number of sections that individuals will find useful, making the book a poor value. A more economical presentation of this book would probably enhance its attractiveness to most therapists.

Michelle Brodersen Broggi, PT University of Hartford West Hartford, Conn

Ms Broggi is Assistant Professor in the physical therapy program at the University of Hartford. She is experienced in pediatric and adult neurologizal rehabilitation.