Coping with a child with disabilities from the parents' perspective: the function of information

Fifteen semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 parents (n = 5 wit h both parents; n = 10 with mother only) of disabled children who had a ran ge of physical and learning difficulties, to explore what information they had received about their child's disabilities, from whom and whether they h ad found it useful. Information needs were also explored. The interviews we re audiotaped and transcribed, then analysed for content. The reasons for n eeding the information was examined for themes. Personal communication was the most frequently cited medium of information. Parents most frequently re ported professionals as their source of information, but parents and volunt ary organizations were also mentioned. Information was found to assist the process of adjusting emotionally to their child's disabilities, to enable p arents to access services and benefits, and to improve their management of their child's behaviour. Parents' comments indicated that information was u sually useful, but occasionally of mixed benefit.