Two studies explored parental expectations and home computer practice in families with special needs children. The first involved 48 parents of special needs children, aged 3.6 to 14.5 years. On a coping instrument, a mood scale, and a difficulties and expectations scale, parents indicated that important concerns for their children included: ability for independent life in adulthood, vocational opportunities, learning difficulties, and leisure activities. Health difficulties, discipline problems, and social difficulties were less emphasized. Parents viewed the computer as a source of help in learning, leisure activities, and widening future vocational possibilities. Compared to mothers, fathers expressed higher levels of concern regarding their children's difficulties and higher expectations from use of technology. In a second study, 14 fathers and 10 mothers, representing 18 families, participated in group meetings which involved a study of information processing and problem solving; and training in use of Niflaot software, a Hebrew software which enhances keyboard and writing skills of special education children. Observations revealed that parents initially had overenthusiastic expectations, and subsequently reduced their active involvement due to parental role overload and fatigue. Fathers were more involved than mothers and slowly developed a new ground for parent-child interactions, but also experienced fatigue and role overload. (JDD)