The paper explores the relationship between 330 families' adaptations to their mentally retarded children and the manner in which parents plan for future residential and vocational opportunities. B. Farber's theory of minimal family adaptation is tested to see whether family characteristics (such as demographics and family career); child's…

This keynote address states that early intervention services must consider more than professional analyses in their planning. It describes findings from focus group discussions with Latino families of children with disabilities, emphasizing the need to match early intervention services with parent expectations and goals, and the need for services…

Policy planners can create improved systems of care and new support systems for rural families who are raising children with disabling conditions or special health care needs, by recognizing the unique needs of these families, the ecology of local service delivery systems, and the special resource requirements of rural areas. Lack of information…