The term 'Developmental Disability' is now favored over 'mentally retarded', because it is less stigmatizing, but either term describes individuals who have permanent deficits in learning ability and adaptive functioning, manifesting before the age of 18. The incidence of mental illness among Developmentally Disabled persons is the same as for the general population. To be 'mentally retarded' by no means equates to being mentally ill - any more than would it for those with Dyslexia or Muscular Dystrophy.
Myths about the developmentally disabled include:
The individuals I serve do not pay me for services in any way. I contract with service agencies, which are funded and (highly) regulated by the State and Federal Governments. These programs are not connected with Social Services or welfare agencies, and are not related to child foster care programs. They are closely monitored, and the individuals are placed with the support of an interdisciplinary team comprised of social workers, advocates, medical and psychological support staff, and other specialists. Though I develop and implement the program planning for my guys, a great deal of close teamwork and communication occurs between the Interdisciplinary Team, other monitoring and oversight bodies, and I. My designation is as a Host Home Provider. I also contract to provide monitoring of other Providers, and to develop Teaching and Behavioral Programs for our consumers.
The vast majority of Developmentally Disabled persons are people with the same needs and interests as for the population at large - less than 2% (less than for the non disabled population) being at risk or requiring institutional care or incarceration. Those whom I serve tend to be people who have been through the system, and have run the gamut of available, conventional services. I provide one-to-one, high level monitoring, 24 hour supervision, counseling and life enrichment activities for these people, who were often assaultive, self injurious, or who presented other behaviors placing them at risk of failing to live in the general community.
I currently serve two consumers - one who lives in my home in "Adult Foster Care" - a very 'high functioning' man suffering from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other challenges, and a man with Down's Syndrome who has brightened my life for 26 years now, whom I now spend four afternoons a week with.
Most Host Home situations, while usually challenging, are not as specialized as the type of service I provide.
Being a Host Home Provider requires a person who is caring and committed, but not necessarily a person with any advanced degree. Working with people who have exceptional challenges may require more experience, education and/or training. Training is ongoing, and usually provided through the contract agencies, and before providing services an individual must usually become certified in First-aid/CPR, medication administration, legal rights and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, as well as other requirements specific to the region or service agencies involved.
There are Host Home agencies in most states these days, and I strongly recommend that someone wanting to make a REAL difference in the life of another person consider this as an option. There are as many different matches as there are people needing services, from companion/roommate situations for persons with a high degree of independence, all the way to specialized nursing care for persons with major medical needs – and everything in between.
Check with the Association for Retarded Citizens in your area, or your state Division for Developmental Disabilities (or it's equivalent) for a list of service agencies. It's not for everyone, but if it's for you, you'll get more from it than you ever give.