1 Bengal Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 20, No. 1, January - June 2015 Magnitude of problem of persons having intellectual disability its impact on parents and their unmet needs in Indian subcontinent Orginal article INTRODUCTION The term “intellectual disability” is gradually replacing the term “mental retardation” nationwide. In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the APA replaced “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder). Intellectual disability is the clearest example of the mixture of medical and social system models. Child with disability means a child who deviates from a normal child in mental or physical characteristics to such an extent that he requires special education and related services. People with intellectual disability do not represent homogenous groups. 1 Their unmet needs and impact on parents as caregivers also vary especially with changing social milieu, socio economic status and ethnicity. Studies have shown that beyond public and self-stigma, stigma can also Background : Intellectual disability is the clearest example of the mixture of medical and social system models. People with intellectual disability do not represent homogenous groups. Their unmet needs and impact on parents as caregivers also vary especially with changing social milieu, socio economic status and ethnicity. Objectives : To assess the disability of intellectually disabled and the nature and degree of impact on their parents. Methods : The clinico-demographic profile of 102 intellectually disabled and intellectually average children and their caregivers were compared. The impact of disability was measured in NIMH-DIS scale. Results : Mothers experienced more difficulties than fathers in physical care (p<0.03), health (p<0.02), career (p<0.03), sibling effect (p<0.04) and specific thoughts domain (p<0.04). Fathers experienced more trouble in support (p<0.02), financial (p<0.05), social (p<0.01), embarrassment/ridicule domains (p<0.02). There was no difference in Relationship domain (p=0.56) between the parents. Higher patience (p<0.02) and empathy (p<0.04) were found among mothers and higher tolerance (p<0.03) and sensitivity (p<0.04) were found among mothers. The impact on mothers increased in physical care, health and specific thoughts domains whereas the impact on fathers increased in financial and embarrassment/ridicule domains. Conclusions : Rehabilitation needs increase with severity of disability and impact on parents as caregivers. Appropriate assessment and finding out unmet needs can guide to formulate individualized treatment plan for them as well as for their parents. Key Words : Intellectual disability, parents burden, NIMH DIS scale, rehabilitation needs. ABSTRACT Ranjan Bhattacharyya 1 , Malay Kumar Ghoshal 2 , Debasish Sanyal 3 1 Deptt. of Psychiatry, Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital, 2 Deptt. of Psychiatry, Medical College, 3 Deptt. of Psychiatry, KPC Medical College & Hospital. Corresponding Author : Dr Ranjan Bhattacharyya. Assistant Professor & Head of the Department, Deptt of Psychiatry, Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital, West Bengal, India. Email : rankholders06@yahoo. co.in/drrbcal@gmail.com Magnitude of problem of persons having intellectual disability its impact on parents and their unmet needs in Indian subcontinent