[Parents of the mentally retarded].

The author is expressing the point of view of the parents of mentally handicapped children or adults. Taking charge of handicapped people means that measures appropriate to each case will be taken such as the adequate and repeated information of parents not prepared for the inevitable psychological shock of the birth of a handicapped child. The parents go through several phases in their reactions to this situation, which are recognized by psychiatrists. The collaboration of specialists and families is indispensable to the healthy development of handicapped people of all ages. Treatment requires periodic multi-disciplinary check-ups to foster the best possible development of the remaining faculties.