Retardation Amongst Aboriginal Children in North Australia

Abstract

There have been few studies of mental retardation amongst Australian Aboriginal children. Information about Aboriginal child mental retardation has usually been reported as a minor part of mental health surveys. A register of retarded children from tribally oriented Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory of Australia was established to over come this deficiency. An examination of the age, sex and main conditions associated with registered cases was undertaken. The incidence and characteristics of retarded Aboriginals with few exceptions were found to be the same as those of retarded Europeans.