Sally E. Cheseldine and Dorothy M. Jeffree, Hester Adrian Research Centre, Manchester UniversitySummaryConsiderable emphasis in the past has been placed on training severely mentally handicapped young people in the basic skills needed for an independent life style, with much less emphasis on the skills relevant to the quality of life, such as ability to form friendships and develop leisure interests. A survey of over 200 adolescents is reported which highlights the differences in levels of attainments in these two types of skills. While the young people were relatively competent in basic self help skills, they lacked those necessary for successful integration into the community, relating to mobility, time, money and so on. It is suggested that conventional ideas of further education should be widened, to ensure that it includes the elements necessary for the facilitation of independent living, leisure skills and social acceptance.