Parents and Families

1. Parents and Families

2. Judith Weatherly (20th century), U.S. editor and writer. “Meeting Parental Needs, A Never-ending Dilemma,” The Exceptional Parent (October 1984). • The more I read and the more I talked to other parents of children with disabilities and normal children, the more I found that feelings and emotions about children are very much the same in all families. The accident of illness or disability serves only to intensify feelings and emotions, not to change

3. Professionals’ Changing Views of Parents • Researches state direction of causation in parent –child relations is two way • Professional recognized potential positive influence of family

4. IFSP • Individual Family Service Plan • http://ericec.org/digests/e605.html

5. The Effects of a Child with a Disability on the Family • Parental Reactions • Stage Theory- Not as valid now. Not everyone goes through them all (denial in particular) • Guilt- most common characteristic, partly because many causes of many disabilities are not known • Dealing with the public, especially disabilities that are more visible • Dealing with child’s feelings-wait for child to ask questions • Parental Adjustment- more than average amount of stress- not related to degree of disability, prior psychological or marital problems will be more intense • Many parents claim to be stronger, more tolerant, better parents, more concerned with social issuesas a result of having child with disability

6. The Effects of a Child with a Disability on the Family • Sibling Reactions • As they get older, more focused on how society views them • Worried about peers • Reactions different based on birth order, gender and age differences • Sibshops

7. Family Involvement in Treatment and Education • Family centered model- partnership, professionals working for family • Family Systems Theory- individual’s behavior is best understood in the context of the family and family’s behavior in the context of other social systems • Family characteristics- info about the family • Family interaction – • Cohesion – degree individual is allowed to act independently • Adaptability- ability of family to change • Family functions – economic, daily care, social, medical and educational needs • Family life cycle – impact of child on family changes over time, different times are more stressful, transitions can be especially stressful

8. Family Involvement in Treatment and Education • Social Support for Families – emotional, economic and informational aid • Support groups • Internet resources • http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/specialed/

9. Communication Between Parents and Professionals • Parent-Teacher Conference • Home-note program – carrying on what is done at school at home • Traveling notebooks • Advocacy

10. Hints for parents-IEP meeting • Take the initiative to set date and time • Ask that the purpose of meeting be clarified • Ad items they feel should be on the agenda • Write down present and future goals • Ask to have areas of discussion written large enough for all to see at the meeting • Ask for definitions of jargon • Ask for regular meeting schedule to review IEP • Promote ongoing communication