Human Exceptionality, Hardman

1. ©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.
Chapter Six
EXCEPTIONALITIES AND FAMILIES

2. ©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
(slide 1 of 2)
6-1
Describe how the lives of families with children with disabilities
have changes since the advent of IDEA.
6-2
Describe the family systems approach and how it applies to
families with members with disabilities, and describe the
strengths and challenges of families raising children with
disabilities.
6-3
Describe common reactions of parents when obtaining a
diagnosis for their children with disabilities.

3. ©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
(slide 2 of 2)
6-4
Describe factors that influence the relationship that develops
between children with disabilities and their mothers, fathers,
siblings, grandparents, and other extended family members.
6-5
Describe essential behaviors that nurturing and competent
professional exhibit when interacting with families with children
with disabilities.

4. A CHANGING ERA
• Families play important roles in advocating
for their children in schools.
• Education professionals have gained
greater skills in working with families.
• Children with disabilities live in various
types of families.
©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

5. FAMILY SYSTEMS APPROACH
• Family systems approach: recognizes all
the attributes, functions, and roles of a
family and considers them in selecting and
providing interventions, training, support,
and care.
©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

6. POSITIVE IMPACTS OF CHILDREN
WITH DISABILITIES ON FAMILIES
• Creates growth in siblings and parents
– Improved levels of empathy and patience
– Heightened communication skills
– Positive family relations
– Greater emotional and psychological strength
• Mothers, fathers, and marriages can
improve
©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

7. FAMILY CHALLENGES
• Financial pressures
• Strained family relationships
• Altered social relationships
• Physical and health problems
• Unexpected physical, emotional, or
financial demands can create crisis.
©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

8. ©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.
PARENTAL REACTIONS
• Determining a diagnosis
– Shock
– Realization
– Defensive Retreat
– Acknowledgement

9. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
(slide 1 of 5)
• Spousal or partner relationships:
– Research is often contradictory
– Husband support and involvement
– Marital distress
– Respite care
©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

10. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
(slide 2 of 5)
• Mother-Child relationships:
– Dyadic and bidirectional relationships
– Overprotectiveness
©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

11. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
(slide 3 of 5)
• Father-Child relationships:
– Responses of fathers
– Training preferences of fathers
©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

12. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
(slide 4 of 5)
• Sibling relationships:
– Common questions of siblings
– Effects of parents’ attitudes and behaviors on
siblings
– Sibling concerns
– Positive perspectives and influences of
siblings
– Sibling support groups
©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

13. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
(slide 5 of 5)
• Extended family relationships:
– Grandparents
– Other relatives or friends
– Support for grandparents and the extended
family
©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

14. PROVIDING NUTURING AND
COMPETENT FAMILY SUPPORT (1 of 3)
• Family-centered support, services, and
programs
• Early childhood years
• Elementary school years
• Secondary school years
• Transition to the adult year
• Parents, families, and partnerships
©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

15. PROVIDING NUTURING AND
COMPETENT FAMILY SUPPORT (2 of 3)
• Strengthening family supports
• Positive behavior support
• Elements of successful partnerships
– Establish trust and respect
– Create supportive environments
– Demonstrate sensitivity
– Share valuable information
– Clarify expectations
©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

16. PROVIDING NUTURING AND
COMPETENT FAMILY SUPPORT (3 of 3)
• Training for families
• Training for siblings, grandparents, and
extended family members
• Training for professionals
• Cultures and disability perspectives for
professionals
©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

17. ©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.
LOOKING TOWARD A BRIGHT
FUTURE
• Professionals understand and receive
better preparation for partnerships with
families.
• Families have improved access to support
networks that benefit the child and the
family.
• Community and cultural awareness

18. ©2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.
CASE STUDY: Halgan
• Background
• Attributes, functions, and roles of the family
• Elements for successful partnerships
• Access to support