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

Abstract

Mothers of 14 handicapped children placed in specialized preschools and 17 handicapped children placed in mainstreamed preschools were interviewed regarding factors which influenced their choice of preschools and their evaluation (benefits and drawbacks) of their child's current preschool. The interview was conducted in two phases including a focused interview in the parents' homes and a telephone-administered questionnaire based on the themes which emerged during the focused interview. Similarities and differences were found in the perspectives of mothers toward mainstreamed and specialized preschools. The major differences included greater emphasis placed by mothers of mainstreamed children on exposure to normal peers and the “real world” and greater emphasis placed by parents of children in specialized settings on the need for having professionals assume responsibility for the education of their child so they can relax and work.