Child-care characteristics of infants with and without special needs: Comparisons and concerns

Abstract

Employment patterns and child-care characteristics and concerns of mothers and infants (12–15 months) with special needs ( n = 166) were described and compared with a group of typically-developing children and their mothers ( n = 139). Compared with the latter group, fewer mothers of children with special needs had reentered the work force by one year; infants began child care at an older age, and for fewer hours; care by relatives was more common, and formal arrangements were less common. The groups did not differ on any measures of observed quality of care. Special needs were an important concern in making employment decisions and finding child care for 1 3 of the sample.