It is estimated that at least 1 million developmentally disabled adults, half of whom are mentally retarded, now reside in communities throughout the United States.1,2 With recent emphasis on increased independence, normalization, and reaffirmation of the civil rights of mentally retarded persons, many are now experiencing nonsheltered adult lives and marriage. As emancipated adults, childbearing and childrearing may follow, but few if any communities have developed adequate supportive services for meeting the needs of these mentally retarded parents and their children.
Although there is a lack of data on the prevalence of parenting problems among mentally retarded adults,3 abuse and neglect have been repeatedly implicated as etiologic factors in mental retardation.