The objectives of the study were: (1) To assess the needs of the parents of the children with mental retardation in order to plan an intervention program. (2) To develop an intervention program for parents of children with mental retardation. (3) To implement an intervention program for parents. (4) To study the effectiveness of the intervention program.

The interventional study aimed at evaluating changes on a sample of subjects as a result of the intervention program employed.

The quantitative data were used to supplement the information gained through qualitative data. Following tools were used like: Identification Data Sheet, Observation Schedule, Family needs assessment semi-structured interview, Pretest and Post-test Questionnaire, Anecdotal Records, Case studies, and Reaction scale for feedback of the intervention program. The details of the data collected were presented phase-wise, like, assessment of parents needs where rapport was established with parents and semi-structured interview schedule were recorded, the development taking into account the needs of the parents and lastly effectiveness of the intervention program was appraised through Pre-test and Post-test Questionnaire.

It was an experimental study. The detailed design of the study has been divided into five phases.In the first stage of sampling, Baroda city was chosen purposively. A complete list of special schools/integrated school for mental retardation children was prepared. In the second stage of sampling, a sample of three special schools and an integrated school for children with mental retardation was selected randomly from the list of schools.

Data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. For assessing the needs of parents of the children with mental retardation in order to plan an intervention program was measured by observation and by using descriptive statistics. For studying the effectiveness of the intervention program, qualitative technique, percentage analysis and t-test were used to compare pretest and posttest scores.

The findings of the study were: (1) Different stages of emotions perceived by the parents were Acceptance, Anger, Shame, Blame, Denial, Shock etc. It has been observed in the area related to future planning, financial planning, vocational aspects, marriage and government benefit. Majority of undergraduate parents were having greater needs. Results revealed that the children with non-disabled had the inferiority complex. In relation to marriage and sexuality aspects, majority reported that if informed properly, they could look after the family responsibilities to some extent. Regarding hostel admission, parents reported that learning can increase by placing the child in the hostel and child will get exposure.