Parent support groups for the families of mentally handicapped children

This paper describes a model of parent support group which has, as its aim, the provision of an effective clinical service to the handicapped child and his or her family. The aims and objectives of the group are outlined together with an evaluation of the effectiveness of the group after a period of 6 months. Conclusions are drawn as to the advantages of such a group and the importance of seeing the behaviour of the parent as an appropriate focus for intervention, is stressed.