Group processes involved in coming to terms with a mentally retarded identity

A growing body of research has documented the existence of the problem of stigma among people with mental retardation. Normalization-based services often seem to collude with current consensus, which indicates that the best way to cope with stigma is by "passing" for "normal." In the present paper we presented an alternative method of dealing with stigma, namely, group therapy based on the two paradigms of loss and consciousness raising. In talking about their experiences with retardation and stigma, seven group members passed through six stages: denial, statement, recognition, exploration, meaning, and acceptance. Implications of this approach for working with people who have mental retardation were discussed.