Inclusive Parent-Child Play Groups: How Comfortable are Parents of Children with Disabilities in the Groups?

Inclusive parent-child play groups are a vehicle for providing family-centered services for the birth-to-three population within a natural environment. Although there is literature on the benefits of inclusive settings for children, little is known about the effects on parents when they participate along with their children. This study explores the perspectives of 12 parents of children with disabilities who attended inclusive PIWI (Parents Interacting With Infants) play groups between 1987 and 1996. From interviews with these parents, the researchers generated factors that can be considered when planning and implementing inclusive play groups to help parents of children with disabilities feel more comfortable within the groups.