Perceptions of pediatricians' helpfulness: a national study of mothers of young disabled children.

A national sample of 503 mothers of young children (up to six years of age) with developmental disabilities was surveyed to determine the extent to which their family pediatricians are helpful in providing information and support. The respondents ranged from lower-middle to upper class, with the mean SES reflective of middle socio-economic status. Their children had a variety of disabilities that qualified them to receive early intervention services. The majority of the mothers found their pediatricians helpful about issues related directly to their child's medical condition. However, few found them helpful with issues relating to the effect of the disability on their child's development, or to their own personal or family needs.