Mental Retardation: Family Therapy and Support Groups Tammi Reynolds, BA & Mark Dombeck, Ph.D. A diagnosis of mental retardation is a stressful event for any family to endure. Mental retardation is in many cases a fairly disabling and chronic, lifelong condition with no real cure possible. Mentally retarded family members may require lifelong care and may never cease to be dependent upon care, non-disabled children will. Mentally retarded children will most likely not be able to grow up to realize their parents' dreams and expectations. Although significant progress has been made, there is still a profound social stigma attached to mental retardation. Coming to grips with these realities and losses is often a difficult life task for family members and caregivers who may deal with shame, guilt, uncertain feelings, and significant grief. Education is perhaps the most powerful coping tool families can develop and use to help themselves deal with their mentally retarded family member. As parents and caretakers gain information about the disorder, they typically become more able and understanding of how to deal with their stress. The more families become trained with regard to effective behavioral management strategies and learning approaches, the more they can find useful ways to support their loved one. Behavior-oriented family therapy can be a valuable forum in which to pick up these skills. Other therapy formats (non-behavioral family therapy, and individual and couples therapy) can be helpful forums for working out difficult emotions associated with living with mental retardation. Many family members may feel alienated from other family and friends who do not live with mental retardation on a daily basis and therefore cannot truly appreciate what it involves. In such cases, it is helpful for family members to attend mental retardation family support groups, which can help them to connect with a community of individuals who can and do relate to their experience. A useful list of mental retardation family support groups organized by state can be found at the following URL: Support Groups The Arc was created by parents of individuals with mental retardation and other concerned people back in 1950. This group works to help educate families about mental retardation. It serves as a clearinghouse for distributing information about mental retardation, and functions as a community source of support, advocacy, and understanding. Arc information resources are organized by state. Parents can locate local support groups among a plethora of other resources addressing their needs through this organization. Find The Arc online at http://www.thearc.org/. Siblings of mentally retarded individuals have their own special support needs and other adjustments to make. In recognition of these needs, The Arc has created the Sibling Support Project (http://www.thearc.org/siblingsupport/) to provide age-appropriate support and mental retardation education. Among other activities, the Sibling Support Project helps train local service providers to create community-based programs that join sibling peers together through workshops ("sibshops"), web sites, and literature. |
