Written in response to questions from Head Start personnel, the manual contains information on how to provide encouragement and support to parents of handicapped children. Divided into sections with general background information and information pertaining to special problems, the 21 chapters cover the following topics (authors are in parentheses): a parent's view of her role in child care (Valerie Harra); the need for early childhood education (Gunnar Dybwad and Edward L. LaCrosse); the value of mainstreaming (Weslee D'Audney); dangers of labeling (D'Audney); confidentiality and legal rights (D'Audney); nutrition (D'Audney); transition to public school (D'Audney); the supportive role (D'Audney); parent involvement (San Delaney); and giving a head start to parents of children with visual impairments (Mary Anne Karstens), hearing impairments (D'Audney), orthopedic disabilities (Richard Galusha), speech and language disorders (Edwin Leach), health impairments (Paul Pearson), asthma (Thomas Fashinbauer), epilepsy (Harriet Major), mental retardation (Margie Armfield), severe emotional disturbances (Frank Manolascino), specific learning disabilities (John Hill), and multiple handicaps (LaCrosse), and to parents suspected of child abuse or neglect (D'Audney), Appended are a list of the types of handicapping conditions served by Head Start programs and samples of Head Start authorization forms. (SB)