Nothing can compare with the boundless love that a grandparent feels for their grandchild. The gift of grandchildren is one of life's greatest blessings. But life does not always deliver its blessings in the package one expects. The diagnosis of autism is for many a jolt into a new world. For parents, the diagnosis tears their hearts and brings…

A growing number of families are sandwiched between the long-term care needs of parents and grandparents, on the one hand, and the healthcare, income, housing, and other needs of children with disabilities on the other. As the parents of a child with disabilities age, they need to develop a plan to meet the caregiving needs of their child when…

A grandmother tells of her emotional reaction to and gradual acceptance of her severely handicapped grandson. She notes her initial reaction, her anger and hostility, her gradual acceptance of the situation, her recognition of the child as a person, and her involvement with the child. (DB)

A counselor describes the strains placed on a marriage after the birth of a handicapped son by both parents' difficulties in dealing with their own parents. The importance of better communication of needs among all parties and ways grandparents can help parents with a handicapped child are discussed. (VW)

Although grandparents may have difficulty in accepting their handicapped grandchild due to such factors as the notion of "bad blood," they can be helpful to parents by drawing from their experience to give new perspectives to complex problems. (SB)

A counselor recounts problems of a family with a cerebral palsied child centering on the annual holiday gathering of the extended family. Difficulties with the grandparents on both sides were identified. Open communication by the parents to other family members increased understanding. (DB)

A family involvement program has been developed at the Pathfinder School, a school for 3- to 7-year-old multiply handicapped brain injured children. (DB)