Parent study groups have the potential to reach a large segment of the parent population. These self-help groups do not require a substantial number of professionals to provide help for parents. Parents quickly accept study groups because they can readily see the results of their efforts with their children. (Author)

The author presents several suggestions for the organization of self-help groups for parents of developmentally disabled children. Guidelines stress that parents are the most important advocates their children will ever have and that parents must often meet to share information among themselves. (SBH)

Discusses a model for social work intervention with a self-help group in a hospital setting, designed to reach out and support new parents of premature infants in a neonatal intensive care nursery. Social workers serve as family advocates, instructors, consultants, and facilitators for volunteer veteran parents groups. (ABB)