This study examined the use of and need for written educational material by the parents of 41 children with cerebral palsy, aged between five and 63 months. After their initial counselling, the majority felt that they needed written information. The parents of 31 children attempted to find suitable books or pamphlets, but in 13 cases they failed to do so or found the material unsatisfactory. A significant association was found between reading material which the parents found satisfactory and their knowledge about the basic features of cerebral palsy.