Parents' reasons for enrolment of their motor-disabled child in a Dutch therapeutic toddler class.

Abstract

This article describes and categorizes the reasons why parents enrol their motor-disabled children in the therapeutic toddler class, a special centre-based service in early intervention. The results among a representative Dutch sample of 84 mothers showed that child-related reasons were considered more important than family- and parent-related reasons. Family- and parent-related reasons were influenced by the presence and severity of the child's behaviour problems. The results of this study are discussed within the context of parental expectations in early intervention, and the concept of family centredness.