A parent-support group (Family Center at Nova University, Florida) for parents of handicapped infants and toddlers allowed parents to share their feelings and concerns. Parents were interviewed regarding three aspects: how they felt upon initial diagnosis, sources of support, and types of experiences that have promoted and inhibited coping. Parent feelings upon diagnosis included mourning, anger, fear, depression, self-pity, and guilt. The greatest source of support mentioned was other mothers. Grandparents and spouses were seldom named. The hardest parts of having a handicapped child were identified, including uncertainties about diagnosis, others' insensitivity, and difficulties in telling other people about the child's problems. Staff ratings of parent-child interaction suggested that mothers with the most positive ratings had generally supportive spouses and relatives, good peer support, responsive babies, relatively stress-free families, and a professional acting as a case manager. Negative feelings associated with professionals were cited as well as instances of supportive professional interaction. (CL)