PRESCHOOL CHILDRENS COMPREHENSION OF THE WORD HANDICAPPED

A group of 4- and 5-yr-old children were asked the meaning of the word ''handicapped,'' while another group were asked the meaning of a nons ense word. Five of 15 children claimed to know the meaning of ''handic apped but none could supply a factual definition. Two of 15 children i n the comparison group claimed to know the meaning of the nonsense wor d. Despite their lack of knowledge, children in both groups continued to answer questions regarding their attitudes toward the word. The res ults cast doubt on the effective use of verbal measures of attitudes t oward persons with disabilities when the subjects are preschool childr en.