A 2 year project to research, design, implement, and evaluate a model of service to families or "acting families" with a mentally retarded child who presents abusive and/or disruptive behaviors at home is discussed. In the project a husband/wife therapist team spent 80 to 100 hours per family over a 3 month period to assess the problems and implement a treatment plan. Therapist involvement typically involved training individuals in the use of behavioral and/or communicative techniques. Information on retardation and realistic expectation levels was provided and psychodynamic issues at both the individual and family levels were addressed. Preliminary results of an evaluation indicated that the program has reduced problem behaviors, increased independence skills, and reduced parents' feelings of being overwhelmed. Among appendixes are a chart listing client data, profile summaries on clients, and graphs charting client progress during treatment. (Author/PHR)