Perceptions of mental handicap: a comparison of Australian and Irish school children

Australian secondary school children (N = 955) were surveyed concerning their perceptions of persons with mental handicap. Data collected related to reactions to meeting a person with disability, helping the handicapped person, responses to specific statements about handicapping conditions, causes of disability and the need for further information about handicaps. Results showed some parallels between Australian and Irish school children with both groups reflecting the positive impact.