Parents and other family members values and attitudes toward the child and his or her exceptionality : A Study Of Parents

Abstract

Understanding how the nature of needs of parents having children with mental retardation change over time would enable service providers to provide appropriate support services to each family member. Research and experience has indicated that approaches which focus on meeting needs of all members of the family are more effective in helping the family to cope with the situation than approaches that focus only on the child with mental retardation. Identifying and supporting the parents in their efforts to meet the needs of all the family members is one of the most efficient ways of developing parental skills which can enhance the development of all family members.