The long awaited blessings of having a child bring simultaneous bouts of confusion and uncertainty regarding the vast parenting responsibilities that come with raising that child. When the child has a disability, sometimes the tasks can seem especially daunting. In this article, the authors aim to guide parents of children who display challenging…

Developed through 20 years of family therapy practice advocating a child-centered approach to parenting, this book presents a balanced approach to child rearing that recognizes the feelings and needs of both parents and children while observing that children also need boundaries and discipline to feel safe and secure, guidance on the choices they…

Children with disabilities receive most of their support from families. While most family caregivers are mothers or fathers, grandparents are increasingly providing care for children with disabilities. In addition, family caregivers come from diverse cultural backgrounds that impact their views on disability. This paper reviews the literature on…

Some teenagers with epilepsy only have to deal with seizures, which can be tough enough, but for other teens, seizures are not the only problem. Parents and caregivers often report changes in their teens' abilities to think clearly, learn in school, or remain focused in class. Mood and other behavioral problems may also be seen. It is critical…

Eleven years ago, FPG Child Development Institute (FPG) launched a longitudinal study of a little known form of mental retardation known as fragile X syndrome (FXS). The Carolina Fragile X Project has since grown into a multidisciplinary team studying diverse aspects of the condition, ranging from early identification to school performance. The…

Six issues of the newsletter address practical matters for parents of handicapped children. The first issue examines behavior and offers suggestions such as avoiding inconsistency and idle threats while holding reasonable expectations. The second issue continues the discussion on behavior with ideas for disciplining the child fairly but…

James E. Gilliam is the author of a book entitled "Autism," published in 1981 by Charles C. Thomas Company. This brochure records an interview with Mr. Gilliam conducted by Burt Smith and later converted to narrative form for publication by Charlene Warren. Adapted from a series of radio broadcasts entitled "The Human…

This handbook was written to share the feelings, experiences, and knowledge of parents of children with emotional disturbances. The first chapter, "Feelings Come First," examines the difficulty in identifying the causes of emotional disturbances, their impact on the family, and coping strategies. The second chapter, "Finding Some Help," describes…

A case study is presented of a male adolescent whose behavior became increasingly rebellious, rejecting, antisocial, and self-destructive. His family's unsuccessful attempts to resolve the problems are described from the point of view of the counselor, followed by suggestions for building character and coping with changes during adolescence. (JDD)