Puntos Basicos para Padres: Apoyo Padre a Padre (Basics for Parents: Parent to Parent Support)

This Spanish language information brief describes the Parent to Parent Program, which provides information and one-to-one emotional support to parents of children with special needs. The program trains experienced parents in the program and matches them with similar parents new to the program. Benefits of the program include: (1) providing parents with opportunities to talk to someone about the impact of disability on their family; (2) allowing parents to discuss such stresses as dealing with multiple doctors, learning a new vocabulary, and coping with the financial aspects of disability; (3) providing parents with support and advice about special classes and services; (4) helping parents find friends for the special needs child; (5) assisting parents in keeping their family happy and healthy while coping with the disability; and (6) helping parents to develop self confidence in their own impressions and ideas for their children. The brief also provides information on how to find a local Parent to Parent Program. (DB)