Patterns of response in families of chronically disabled children: an assessment in five metropolitan school districts.

Interviews with parents of 1,726 special education students yielded reports of stress that varied significantly by type of disability and by maternal education level; family involvement in the special education process also varied significantly by level of education. Clinically important differences in family perceptions and coping mechanisms are described and the need for better child care provisions and involvement of low-income parents in the education process is highlighted.