Therapy with Families of a Mentally Retarded Child

Abstract

Professional services to the families of mentally retarded children have traditionally centered around educational/vocational training and placement of the MR child. With increased social and legislative emphasis on services for exceptional children, helping professionals now have the opportunity to deal with the broader problem of family adjustment and reorganization following the birth of an MR child. Family therapy offers an effective means of dealing with the continued crises facing such families, through a shift in emphasis from the identified patient to overall family systems and members. Major goals, periods of crisis, family reactions, and basic techniques are suggested.