The article discusses the issue of the development of professional interests of young people with mental retardation. A review of selected theories help to understand better the dynamics and the regularity of this development, which allows an individual approach to each intellectually disabled person who takes professional life. Analysis of the determinants of professional development can be helpful not only in vocational guidance, but should also be interested to employers who employ people with mental disabilities. It turns out that the most appropriate to this group of people is emphasized by the parameter satisfaction instrumental theory and the theory of adaptation to work. The needs theories explain the motivational aspect of the profession, and pay attention to the inalienable right of deciding about himself as a person with a disability.