Families of Children with Developmental Disabilities

I anticipate that this volume will be useful to developmental psychologists interested in family dynamics, particularly those interested in how the stresses associated with children with developmental disabilities influence family interactions. The volume should also be of value to clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals who provide services to families touched by disability. The volume is organized developmentally. It begins with the initial reactions of parents to a child with an unexpected health condition, then analyzes the family as a system of interconnected members adapting to a child with developmental issues, and finally discusses how family dynamics shift when an individual with a disability approaches adulthood. I also expect that clinical psychologists will find much of value here. The experience of parenting a child with a disability is undeniably stressful, and some parents may benefit from professional help.