The Social Aspect of an Experiment with Retarded Children

In all schools are found children who do not "fit in" with the regular work. They are unresponsive; cannot work in groups; are irritable or over-sensitive; will not play, rather brood in corners; are hostile to society. Sometimes they show a tendency to damaga things or torment animals or their companions. They are individualistic. Every command must be given separately to them. They will not listen unless directly addressed; and will not respond. The result is that either their undirected energy takes the form of mischief and they become incorrigible, or they shrink back into themselves and become apathetic, sitting in their places with no interest, but conscious of the indifference of their companions. If such children are allowed to remain indefinitely in the regular grades, it will mean years of unsatisfactory work and annoyance for the teachers; years of handicapping for the pupils of average ability, and years of stunting physically and mentally for the retarded children themselves.