The booklet presents excerpts from a December 1984 conference (Washington, D.C.) on disabled and at-risk infants, toddlers, and their families. Parents' perspectives are offered on care for medically vulnerable infants and children (by the mother of a ventilator-assisted child), services for children with mild developmental delays (by a mother of a premature infant), and the effects on the family of a severely and/or multiply handicapped child. The keynote address explores the emotional needs of parents coping with the birth and life or death of a potentially disabled child and emphasizes the need for emotional support and information. A final paper describes negative assumptions held by professionals about parents' ability to objectively observe, set appropriate goals, and teach their children. (CL)