A Comparison of Specialized and Mainstreamed Preschools from the Perspectives of Parents of Handicapped Children

Mothers of 14 handicapped children placed in specialized preschoolsand 17 handicapped children placed in mainstreamed preschoolswere interviewed regarding factors which influenced their choiceof preschools and their evaluation (benefits and drawbacks)of their child's current preschool. The interview was conductedin two phases including a focused interview in the parents'homes and a telephone-administered questionnaire based on thethemes which emerged during the focused interview. Similaritiesand differences were found in the perspectives of mothers towardmainstreamed and specialized preschools. The major differencesincluded greater emphasis placed by mothers of mainstreamedchildren on exposure to normal peers and the "real world" andgreater emphasis placed by parents of children in specializedsettings on the need for having professionals assume responsibilityfor the education of their child so they can relax and work.