Ordinary Families, Special Children: A Systems Approach to Childhood Disability. This item is unavailable.Ordinary Families, Special Children: A Systems Approach to Childhood Disability

The volume examines the many variables that shape the ways families respond to childhood disability and the extent to which they can overcome the physical, cultural and social barriers to a satisfactory lifestyle.

"Milton Seligman and Rosalyn Darling have done a wonderful job describing the impact a child's disability can have on a family. They deserve special praise for their attention to the frequently overlooked concerns of fathers, siblings, and grandparents. The user-friendly discussion of family systems and the many insightful quotes from family members will make this book valuable to family members and service providers alike." --Donald J. Meyer, MEd, Director, Sibling Support Project, Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Seattle, Washington; editor of Uncommon Fathers: Reflections on Raising a Child with Special Needs. "The second edition of Ordinary Families, Special Children continues in the fine tradition of the first. The book, firmly anchored in empirical research, brings the laboratory data alive with commentary by mothers, fathers, and others who love a child with a disability. Seligman and Darling offer a critical look at the literature, blended with human wisdom about coping effectively in the face of a family crisis." --Sandra L. Harris, PhD, Professor and Dean, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey "The revised edition of this superb text provides a comprehensive review of the topic which is relevant to an international readership. It contains an extremely readable account of the essential information needed by professionals in order to develop effective working relationships with parents of children with disabilities. It should be on the required reading list for all teachers, social workers, therapists, psychologists and medical staff concerned with childhood disability." --Garry Hornby, PhD, Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Hull, England ..".An important work...Its summaries of research and theory provide an excellent overview and introduction to work with families with disabilities." --Diana Garland, Journal of Family Ministry "This second edition offers a much broader perspective on the adaptation of families to disability, reflecting changes in both the authors' perspectives and experiences, as well as changes in the social context for this counseling since the original publication....The unexpected bonus, in the last chapter, is a clearly outlined family-needs identification instrument that will be invaluable to professionals looking for the elements of family-centered care. Clearly written and logically developed, with an open-minded approach to the mutual learning that goes on between professionals and these wonderfully resilient families they work with, and an extensive and up-to-date bibliography, this book should be recommended reading for anyone counseling children with disabilities and their families, including medical professionals outside of the mental health field." -- Journal of Psychsomatic Research "This second edition offers a much broader perspective on the adaptation of families to disability, reflecting changes in both the authors' perspectives and experiences, as well as changes in the social context for this counseling since the original publication....The unexpected bonus, in the last chapter, is a clearly outlined family-needs identification instrument that will be invaluable to professionals looking for the elements of family-centered care. Clearly written and logically developed, with an open-minded approach to the mutual learning that goes on between professionals and these wonderfully resilient families they work with, and an extensive and up-to-date bibliography, this book should be recommended reading for anyone counseling children with disabilities and their families, including medical professionals outside of the mental health field." --"Journal of Psychsomatic Research"