Families' Resources and Accommodations: Toddlers with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Developmental Delay

Constructing and maintaining a supportable daily routine is an important task for families with young children, particularly when the child has a disability. In this study, we examined relationships between children's developmental needs, disability diagnosis, and families' resources and accommodations. Participants included families with infants or toddlers receiving early intervention services because of Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or developmental delay. Results provide evidence that the numbers and types of families' accommodations reflect their child's developmental needs, the child's diagnosis, and family income. The usefulness of examining accommodations as one approach for understanding the ways in which families organize their lives when they have a child with a disability is discussed.