Abstract:

Mental retardation a developmental disability marked by lower-than-normal intelligence and limited daily living skills, affects 1-3% of children and is typically present at birth. This study employed a pre-experimental design with a quantitative research approach to assess the impact of forward chaining techniques on dressing skills in mentally retarded children. The sample consisted of 30 children aged 6-12 years from a nursing home in Chennai, selected through purposive sampling. The children were divided into three age groups: 6-8 years (33.3%), 8-10 years (30%), and 10-12 years (36.6%). The sample included 66.6% male and 33.3% female children. A majority (90%) had no family history of retardation. Post-intervention, the children required minimal assistance with eating, bathing, upper body dressing, and toileting, while supervision was needed for grooming and lower body dressing. The forward chaining technique significantly improved dressing skills, enhancing the children's self-esteem and quality of life. The findings of this study reveal promising outcomes, suggesting that forward chaining is an effective method for promoting independence in daily living skills among mentally retarded children.

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