Parent Involvement in Early Intervention Activities with Their Children with Down's Syndrome

Abstract

Twenty-five mothers of preschoolers with Down's syndrome completed a questionnaire about their experiences in early intervention programs. Results showed this sample to be quite actively involved, with notable variation in reactions to various program activities. Responses about experiences with infant stimulation activities indicated that mothers of males and, to a lesser extent, mothers of lower functioning children had greater difficulty engaging their children in such activities. Mothers reported beneficial emotional support from parent group meetings during infancy, which had reduced revelance by the pre-school period. Discussion focused on the need to examine and evaluate individual differences in parents’ program participation.