There are some problems which naturally deter counselors from providing direct services to students enrolled in special classes for the mentally retarded. Some of the problems indicated by this survey are: (1) special classes are not held in same buildings where counselors are located so that counselors do not have ready access to students in the special classes; (2) special educators on the local and area education agency level have given the impression to counselors that they assume all or part of the responsibilities counselors normally assume; (3) counselors are assigned many students and largely assume only parts of a total guidance and counseling role which may include group counseling, individual counseling, followup, testing and interpretation, providing occupational information, coordination of community services, parent involvement, and coordination of staff inservice and consultation; and (4) counselors have not been oriented to serving handicapped populations and need assistance in identifying how they can assist, how to do what has to be done, and what materials are applicable. (Author)