This article aims to strengthen the ability of parents of special needs children to function as stronger, more resilient parents by developing coping mechanisms. Coping mechanisms include allowing oneself to cry, dealing with anger, determining objectively the reasons for the anger, using anger constructively, finding support, becoming flexible,…

The role of school-related stress in the life of the disabled child is examined, and parents and teachers are given suggestions to reduce stress and help the child cope. Stress is defined as the emotional and physical reaction to the pressures that society places upon the child to conform and live up to expectations. Among sources of stress are…

Crisis intervention is a vital component of any comprehensive approach to maintaining psychological well being. An active school-based crisis intervention team can make a powerful contribution to a school's sense of community and commitment to taking care of each other. This special edition presents promising practices that may be helpful to…

This collection of brief reports on educational matters of interest to parents contains the most popular titles in the Report to Parents series issued by the National Association of Elementary School Principals as a service to its members. Reports cover the following topics: (1) buying books for children; (2) dealing with child abuse; (3) helping…

This special issue focuses on needs of parents of children with disabilities. In the first article, "You Are Not Alone," Patricia McGill Smith considers the emotions that many parents of exceptional children experience and offers a perspective for living and coping with the impact of disability upon the family. The second article,…

This theme issue addresses special concerns of single parents of children with disabilities. Parents are encouraged to give themselves time to heal, to feel their feelings, and to find a support group. Developing a positive attitude is also encouraged through pointing out some advantages to the single parent role and suggestions on becoming a…

The challenges that families face in caring for a child with a disability or a chronic illness are reviewed in this report on respite care. A parent's narrative describes the difficulties in providing around-the-clock care to a child with a chronic illness. The benefits of respite care are outlined as follows: gives the family peace of mind,…

Intended for use by parents of infants and toddlers, this series of 27 8-page month-by-month newsletters provides research-based information on infant and child development and care from 0 to 36 months. Topics in the series for infants include: becoming a parent; getting ready for child birth; the newborn child; and characteristics of the child at…

Three newsletters focus on disability issues. The first provides an overview of the nature of learning disabilities (LD) and intervention approaches for the condition. Research on effective educational methods for use with LD students is reviewed for such topic areas as the transition from school to work and independent living. Suggestions for…

Designed to respond to the information needs of parents of children with disabilities, this digest includes articles on coping with and raising a child with a disability. In the first article, "You Are Not Alone" (Patricia McGill Smith), a parent of a child with a disability speaks candidly about the emotions that many parents of…