Sex of a parent and knowledge about cerebral palsy.

Parents of cerebral-palsied children who attended a rehabilitation center were asked to complete both a subjective questionnaire and an objective scale to tap their knowledge about cerebral palsy. A 33 percent return was obtained. According to the results from the questionnaire, both parents tended to believe that mothers are more knowledgeable about cerebral palsy. However, an analysis of the results of the scale indicated that a parent's knowledge about the disability and how to treat it is determined or influenced by the sex of the handicapped child. Other information gained suggested that the rehabilitation center therapists are important sources of information about cerebral palsy for most parents, and the parents also suggested ways in which to improve community services to the families of children with cerebral palsy.