Special Education and Medicine

Abstract

A random sample of physicians across the state who were likely to be in contact with parents of handicapped children were surveyed regarding such issues as their knowledge of Public Law 94-142, the impact of this legislation on their practice, their medical school training in the areas of emotional disturbance, learning disabilities, and mental retardation, and their interactions with parents and local school programs. Only 64% of the sample were familiar with this legislation; however, nearly that many were interested in receiving more information regarding this law as well as programs that serve handicapped children. Current response to the needs of parents of handicapped children and implications for future possibilities are discussed.