1st Edition

Disability in the Family Guidance for Professionals from Parents and Guardians

By Barbara Boroson Copyright 2024
    216 Pages 2 B/W Illustrations
    by Eye On Education

    216 Pages 2 B/W Illustrations
    by Eye On Education

    216 Pages 2 B/W Illustrations
    by Eye On Education

    This insightful guide shows professionals how to collaborate with parents and guardians of children with disabilities in empathic, respectful, knowledgeable, and supportive ways. Packed with first-hand accounts and advice from parents and guardians, this book shines a light on lived experiences and reveals paths toward meeting families where they are in order to move forward together. Boroson emphasizes that appreciating the real needs of these families is a crucial step beyond mere adherence to a generic set of professional best practices or principles. Whether working in the field of medicine, education, law, mental health, or related services—in any capacity—readers will come away with the holistic knowledge, inclusive language, productive strategies, and differentiated understanding needed to work effectively with the diverse families they serve. Included is a robust array of resources for families, such as books, articles, associations, organizations, and support networks, along with a website for additional, up-to-date resources.

    Acknowledgements

    Introduction

    Who Is This Book For?

    Why Do You Need This Book?

    Radical Acceptance in the Trenches

    Chapter 1: Grief and Loss

    Facing What Is

    Dealing with Feeling

    Kids… Facing What Is

    Giving Up Hope

    The Comparison Game

    Chapter 2: Guilt and Shame

    Is This My Fault?

    Am I Doing Enough?

    Am I Good Enough?

    Typically Developing Siblings

    Placement

    Chapter 3: Isolation and Marginalization

    Not Worth the Risk

    No One Gets It

    No One Comes Around

    Judgment by Kids

    Judgment by Strangers

    Judgment by Friends and Family

    Spouses and Partners

    Forever Parents

    Chapter 4: Stress and Fear

    Exhaustion

    Loss of Self

    Financial Burden

    Asking for Help

    Behavior and Aggression

    Burnout

    Worry

    Fear For the Future

    Terminal Illness

    Chapter 5: Disparities and Disenfranchisement

    The System

    Accessibility

    Health Disparities

    Unconscious Bias

    Cultural Perspectives

    Credibility Deficit

    Epilogue

    References

    Resources for Support

    Biography

    Barbara Boroson, LMSW, is an autism education specialist, dynamic speaker, and the parent of a young-adult child with disabilities. This is her fifth book.