The Draw a Person Test in Mental Defectives

Diagnosis in Mental Deficiency is a complex task, for it is based on a variety of factors some of which have, at the first sight, no close relations to the others. The investigation of a patient who is supposed to be mentally defective is, as a rule, done before his admission to a Mental Deficiency Hospital. Various authorities, such as the Local Education and Public Health Authorities as well as the Duly Authorised, the Social Welfare and the Mental Health Officers deal with the preliminary investigation and in most cases the patient is also seen and examined by the psychiatrist at a Mental Deficiency Clinic. On admission to a Hospital, the patient is physically examined and significant signs are recorded. Stigmata, such as deformities of the skull, the ears, the nose and any other facial anomalies and peculiarities play some part in the diagnosis although the term "stigma" has been under scrutiny and has a rather unfavourable reputation. The psychiatric interview that follows the physical examination ascertains the patient's ability to express. himself verbally; his attainments as regards his general knowledge and comprehension are noted ; ordinary school knowledge, such as the three Rs and, in particular, behaviour disorders are recorded. Important requirements for the diagnosis are the Intelligence and Performance Tests. The patient's Intelligence Quotient, his Practical Ability Ratio and the respective Mental and Practical Ability age are, in our Hospital, ascertained by the Clinical Hospital Psychologist. The Original Order, issued by the Local Authority; a Statement of Particulars and Case Notes are taken into consideration and the two Medical Certificates, issued by two General Practitioners, are noted. All these data and informations are taken into account before the final diagnosis is arrived at. Where it is possible, an interview with the patient's parents, some relatives or friends, completes the picture of the patient's personality. Despite this elaborate system of investigation much remains to be done in order to accomplish the task of a precise diagnosis and indeed, there are some means which could be used as complementary methods of the diagnosis in Mental Deficiency. * The Editor regrets that owing to technical difficulties, four tables and three diagrams which belong to this article have had to be omitted.