Raising a young child with challenging behavior can have a significant impact on families' well-being and family functioning. Despite advancements in the field, there is a paucity of research focused on effective ways to address their unique experiences. This qualitative meta-synthesis aims to identify the needs of families with young children who…

Background: The current functional models of disability do not adequately incorporate significant changes of the last three decades in our understanding of human functioning, and how the human functioning construct can be applied to clinical functions, professional practices and outcomes evaluation. Methods: The authors synthesise current…

Now in a revised and expanded third edition, this popular clinical reference and text provides a multisystems perspective on childhood disability and its effects on family life. The volume examines how child, family, ecological, and sociocultural variables intertwine to shape the ways families respond to disability, and how professionals can…

Presents a reformulation of Hershenson's theoretical model for rehabilitation counseling in systemic and ecological terms. This macrosystem is organized by precipitating event of disability and is composed of four systems: consumer, functional, provider, and contextual. Discusses the use of the model for selecting rehabilitation interventions…

The paper reviews the literature on early intervention programs with emphasis on programs for handicapped and at risk infants. The definition and goals of intervention for such infants are examined in relation to early childhood developmental characteristics. Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of early intervention for disadvantaged,…

The article presents family systems concepts to provide rehabilitation counselors with practical guidelines for working with families of persons with disabilities and describes techniques for encouraging family participation. (Author/DB)

Introduces series by rehabilitation counseling scholars concerning research on employment interventions and the implications of the findings. Concludes that consumers with severe disabilities need more employment services than can be accomplished from a linear case management model. Argues that productive employment outcomes are better achieved…

New approaches to families based on principles of the child as part of a system, family subsystems, family member roles, and the family life cycle are applied to families with a handicapped infant/preschooler, a school-aged child, or a young adult. An intervention model based on assessment, goal setting, and implementation is proposed. (DB)

This paper presents a summary of systems change research as it applies to planning comprehensive early childhood service systems. It explains the inter-agency model developed by the Collaborative Planning Project for Planning Comprehensive Early Childhood Systems at the University of Colorado. The model attempts to address system issues such as…

Integrating an ecological systems perspective into the vocational evaluation of disabled persons affords consideration of such often neglected areas as blame (based on personal deficit), decision making, the predominance of clinical attitudes, and the work environment as well as on attitude and motivation. (CB)

Results are reported from an analysis of the research literature including children with disabilities (birth through age 5), their families, personnel who serve them, and policies and systems change strategies related to the provision of services. Analysis reveals trends in research methods and for studying particular topics and information about…

The range of microcomputer based applications in early childhood special education is characterized in terms of systems management, instructional management, and direct instruction. Six current issues are discussed including the need for integrated applications, instructional quality, unreasonable expectations of users, developmental…

The 22 articles of this special issue focus on families with mentally, physically or emotionally disabled family members and discuss the importance of viewing the family as a system. Research studies and literature reviews report on family reaction, stress variables and coping techniques, placement decisions, and policy recommendations. (JAC)

This paper examines transition from school to post-school activities for students with chronic illness and disabilities, with reference to: four legislative acts that impact transition services, seven legislated implementation mechanisms, seven outcomes areas, and a social system for evaluating services to transitioning youth. Transition…

This literature review addresses perceived positive contributions of disabled persons to their families and proposes a new framework for such research. Considered first is the theoretical framework underlying Family Stress and Coping Theory, specifically the ABCX model of R. Hill and its modifications. Next, family research trends in the…