Attitudes of parents of mentally retarded children toward normalization activities

Parents of mentally retarded children were surveyed via a 5-point Likert scale to determine their attitudes toward normalization in general and in relation to their child. Results indicated significant differences in response, with the more positive attitudes being those associated with a general (the mentally retarded population) rather than specific (my child) referent. Within the general-referent group, parents of TMR children displayed the most positive attitudes. Age, sex, and level of retardation had no effect on child-specific responses.