Parents of handicapped children can provide valuable assistance to child caregivers and should be encouraged to become involved in the observation and education of their handicapped child. However, obstacles to optimal parent-caregiver cooperation may exist. Parents and caregivers may have different views of the infant and differ in knowledge of child growth and development; parents may be distressed by the birth of a handicapped child, and some parents may not immediately be able to respond to the emerging needs of the newborn and those of their spouse. Providers' attitudes may also reduce parent-caregiver cooperation if they reflect the disillusionment of caregivers, rigidity in use of materials, and disapproval of parents' lifestyle. Providers can improve communication with parents by (1) starting the relationship with parents as early as possible, (2) providing reliable support, (3) sharing knowledge about child development, (4) improving observation skills, (5) holding discussions with parents, (6) encouraging parents to think about the consequences of their behaviors, (7) encouraging parents to be positive, (8) sharing joy in small developmental advances, (9) praising specific achievements of parent and child, (10) treating the parent as an expert on details of the child's experiences, (11) using parent involvement techniques consistent with family needs, (12) marshaling community resources to serve parents, and (13) providing support for caregivers working with parents. (Author/RH)