Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Education, Special Education, Nursing, Social Work, Non-Fiction, Textbook

Book Review:
''Mentally Handicapped People: Living and Learning'' by David Clarke is a professional textbook born from a period of significant transition in care philosophy for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Authored by a Senior Tutor in Nursing, the book is a clear, practical guide intended primarily for nurses pursuing specialization, but its value extends to social workers, caregivers, and educators. Clarke synthesizes research and best practices from both the UK and USA, focusing on implementing new service-oriented policies that prioritize individual needs and rights. While the terminology (''mentally handicapped'') and some policies reflect its publication era (likely late 1970s or early 1980s based on the ISBN format and cover), the book's core emphasis on person-centered care, staff training, and integrating living and learning remains relevant. Today, it serves as both a practical historical document of care practices and a foundational text that helped shape modern approaches to disability support. It is most useful for students of nursing history, disability studies, and professionals interested in the evolution of care models.