A positive attitude is necessary when parenting a child with disabilities. Among principles which help parents cope are: never underestimate the child's potential; find and follow positive mentors; keep in mind the feelings and needs of other family members; remember to consider what's been accomplished; and maintain a sense of humor. (CB)

Emotional development from infancy to adolescence is traced and the effects of psychosocial issues on a child with a learning disability are considered for five of E. Erikson's seven proposed stages (trust, autonomy, initiative, industry, adolescence). The need for intervention and parent counseling at each state is emphasized. (CL)

Discusses how teachers can communicate with parents and suggests aids for parent counseling. (CI)

The authors present a model of parent-school involvement in furthering the educational development of gifted students. The disadvantages and advantages of three counseling approaches are pointed out--parent centered approach, school centered approach, and the partnership approach. (SBH)

The paper considers the nature of support and counseling needed by parents of emotionally disturbed/behavior disordered adolescents. Seven potential areas of conflict for the adolescent are identified and explained with the intention of providing parents with greater understanding of their children's lives. Crises are explained to include conflict…

Problems experienced by parents of gifted children are described, indicating the need for parental counseling in the areas of expectations, discipline, favoritism, family values, and balanced development. A framework for parental guidance is proposed, with four dimensions: overall development, particular developmental needs, communication, and…

The booklet describes an approach to individualizing parent involvement in special education programs. A family needs checklist addresses parents' knowledge (of community resources, educational programing, support services, and general information about normal developmental levels and tests and measurement); support; skills in working with…

The paper offers guidelines for counseling parents of children diagnosed as autistic. Initial sections urge caution on the establishment of such a diagnosis, noting widespread careless use of the term. Changes in thinking about autism are traced from its consideration as a psychogenic emotional disorder to a developmental disorder with cognitive…

The manual serves as a guide for developing early intervention programs to meet the needs of parents of young handicapped children. An introductory section explains early intervention program goals--be available, listen, work cooperatively, and obtain and give feedback. Chapter 1 describes the Early Intervention Program in terms of program…

Teachers of hearing impaired children should be aware of the impact of a hearing impaired child on the family. The family may progress through stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Added complications of guilt make the situation more involved. Teachers can be effective in dealing with parents if they remember to…

Parents have always been the primary teachers of their children. Counselors, as consultants, can help parents organize for the best interests of their children and obtain the support they need from school personnel. (Author)

The author presents several suggestions for the organization of self-help groups for parents of developmentally disabled children. Guidelines stress that parents are the most important advocates their children will ever have and that parents must often meet to share information among themselves. (SBH)

The paper addresses stressors facing parents of emotionally disturbed adolescents and suggests ways that parents can be helped to battle "burnout." Ten stressors are identified: problems innate with the handicap, lack of progress and development, negative public opinion, pressures from spouse or other family members, pressures from members of…

This volume of the Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series examines treatment issues for both adult survivors of child abuse or neglect and adults in treatment who may be abusing or neglecting their own children. Chapters 1 through 3 focus primarily on adult survivors of child abuse and neglect. Chapter 1 defines child abuse and neglect,…

Designed to help school speech and language clinicians who work with parents of handicapped children, the article provides suggestions on group leadership strategies. (CL)