This study examined how the child's type of mental retardation and current educational placement affect parental educational perceptions. Subjects were 32 mothers of children with Prader-Willi syndrome and 32 mothers of children with Down syndrome. Both groups responded to surveys consisting of demographic information, perceptions of current educational placement, and perceptions of ideal educational placement. Although parents of both groups were equally satisfied with current placements, parents of students with Down syndrome-as well as those now in more inclusive programs-were significantly more likely to choose an inclusive placement as their ideal program. Parents of children with Prader-Willi syndrome were significantly more likely to choose curriculum as a disadvantage of their current program, and less likely to cite teachers and the location of their child's school as disadvantages of their child's current program. These findings suggest that the educational perceptions of parents show important similarities and differences from one etiological group to another.
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