Introduction

Families with a child who has a disability have special concerns and often need a great deal of information: information about the disability of their child, about school services, therapy, local policies, funding sources, transportation, medical facilities, and much more. Many families find it very useful to join a parent group, where they can meet other families with similar needs. Parent groups can serve many purposes, but primarily they offer parents a place and a means to share information, give and receive emotional support, and work as a team to address common concerns.

There are many different parent groups, and their activities vary, depending on the group's focus and goals. Typical activities might include: providing mutual support and new friendships, distributing information and/or newsletters, creating a family resource center, arranging for speakers on topics of interest, and setting up babysitting coops or respite care provision. Many parent groups also allow families the opportunity to speak in a unified voice to express the needs and goals of a special interest group not often well represented in the school and community.

An important function of nearly all parent groups is to introduce families to others like themselves, who can provide much needed information and emotional support. When families with similar concerns meet, there is a sense of community, of understanding; you create a place where you can laugh about the same things, where you can discuss the same problems, where you can help each other. Where else can a parent find out which local dentists are good with children who don't sit still, where to buy specialized clothes, toys, or equipment, how to help a teenager find a summer or after-school job, or how to fill out a social security application?

This Parent's Guide will help you identify the parent groups that exist nationally and in your state and community. It will also help you decide which group or groups would be useful to you in meeting your family's needs and concerns. If no such group exists in your community, this Guide provides many suggestions on how to start your own group. Full text» [PDF, 256KB]