Although there is some reported research on the experiences of parents who have children with autism, very little is known about the experiences of parents in other countries--specifically, China. This study investigated the perspectives of parents on their experiences having children with autism in that country. Seventy eight parents completed…

Clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse rose to public attention in 2002 through the disclosure of abuse by Catholic priests within the Archdiocese of Boston and a simultaneous cover-up by church hierarchy. Similar patterns have since been described in other Catholic dioceses and in other faith denominations. While recent studies have examined the impact…

The relation between intelligence and birth order was shown in a recent publication [Bjerkedal, T., Kristensen, P., Skjeret, G. A. & Brevik, J. I. (2007). Intelligence test scores and birth order among young Norwegian men (conscripts) analyzed within and between families. "Intelligence," 35, 503-514] to be negative. Subjects in this…

Background: The families of a population sample of people with Down's syndrome (DS), and of their non-disabled controls, have been followed since early childhood, and the families have now been seen again as their sons and daughters reached age 30 and 35 years. Methods: A semi-structured interview schedule was used, including items from the…

This study investigates the impact of sibling ranking and the number of siblings per family on student achievement in ninth grade science. Secondary analysis was conducted based on empirical data from a key project sponsored by the China State Commission of Education in the late 1980s. Findings indicate that the science achievement of students…

To determine whether the presence of a fourth person affects triads in the same way that the presence of a third person affects dyads, data from two previous studies were reanalyzed. In the original studies a total of 60 infants 12 months of age were observed interacting with their parents in 4 social contexts: 1 parent present, 2 parents present,…

The handbook, an outgrowth of a project involving 8-13 year-old siblings of handicapped children and their parents, describes ways to implement sibling programs. Problems facing siblings are reviewed, including overidentification, resentment, and embarassment. Guidelines for conducting "sibshops" are offered with information on five goals, such as…

Smaller families in general (including the one-child option) are becoming more popular. This ERIC Digest focuses on changing trends in family size, reasons for choosing to have only one child, differences between only children and those with siblings, and the advantages of being an only child. Changing family patterns, economic concerns, and new…

The paper examines the possible role of siblings of handicapped children in helping or caretaking. A review of the literature is performed as a basis for proposing that there are circumstances in which intrinsically motivated, or altruistic, helping may be a more adaptive approach to coping with a handicapped brother or sister than other…

The paper reviews literature on the family-ecological perspective regarding autism and examines the bidirectional influences among child, family, professional, and school. It is noted that, in contradiction of psychogenic theories of autism, research suggests that parents of autistic children are not more pathological than parents of otherwise…

The newsletter article examines the impact of a handicapped child on siblings and offers parents suggestions for handling sibling relationships effectively. The article notes differences in the emotional adjustment process between older and younger siblings of a handicapped child. This report also explains typical sibling reactions of regression,…

Developmental changes in interpersonal perceptions in older siblings were studied in children in grades K, 2, 4, 6, 8. Older children used more abstract and more nonegocentric modes of description. (ST)

This paper examines the concept of role making as a means for analyzing family change. Its implication for understanding the problems specific to dual career families as well as one-parent families, cohabiting and remarried couples is discussed. (Author)

Study supported in part by U.S. Office of Education Project C-998, Contract 3-20-001, NDEA Title 7.

Intended for workshop planners, the document offers guidelines to organizing and designing a family education workshop or inservice program for families of developmentally disabled individuals. Section I focuses on steps in developing a family education workshop including identifying needs, determining goals and objectives, organizing the program,…