Thirty-two deaf retarded patients were diagnostically assessed for speech and hearing, intellectual function, academic achievement, and medical status. Eight of the patients served as controls and 24 received 18 to 24 months of special training in communication skills, shop experience, physical education, and homemaking. Twelve of the 24 also received psychotherapy. Formal vocational training in a sheltered workshop for males and participation in the institution work program and community vocational placement for both sexes were initiated during the final year of the program. As a result of the program, some of the patients were able to be discharged or to be placed in the community on a day basis. Others were able to participate in the institutional work program. Communication, intellectual functioning, and social/personal adjustment improved significantly (p<.02 or p<.02), but academic achievement did not improve. The psychotherapy program was not shown statistically to be effective; in fact, the subjects without psychotherapy improved more in intellectual function and performance. The patients participated successfully in the sheltered workshop. (EC)