Qualitative research methods were used to investigate the sources and methods of dealing with stress in eight families with adopted children who have severe developmental or multiple disabilities. The families, who had each adopted from two to 30 children, included "birth children" and, in some cases, foster children as well. The research methods used were participant observation in the families and unstructured interviews with parents, adoption agency workers, state children's welfare workers, and counselors who work with adoptive families. The study identified the rewards associated with adopting children who have disabilities as well as common sources of stress. Somewhat surprisingly, management of daily household tasks and child care routines were not listed as stressful. However, interactions with school and medical personnel and other professionals were extremely stressful for all families interviewed. Effective stress management techniques included focusing on successes of children and the benefits of living in the family to the individual children, maintaining contact with other large families with adopted children with disabilities, and occasionally, adopting another child with severe disabilities. (DB)