The article examines the potential impact upon the family of traumatic brain injury to a child and the complex array of factors related to effective family coping and adaptation. Considered are stages in family adaptation, sources of family stress, and coping with stress. (Author/DB)

A counselor describes feelings and attitudes of two young adults who see their marital problems as having begun with the birth of their severely disabled child. Counseling led to improved communication, better coping, and shared planning for the future. (DB)

This booklet was written to help parents decide what to tell their child who has cancer. It recommends that parents tell their child the truth about his disease to prevent him from feeling guilty and to increase his cooperation with treatment. A gentle, open, and honest approach is suggested. Sections discuss who should tell the child and when the…

Presents suggestions for helping stepfamilies cope with problems they may encounter: (1) helping the children move from loss to reconnection; (2) being patient with everyone in the new family; (3) cultivating communication and negotiation; and (4) sensitizing school personnel and society. (SM)

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,…

A case is discussed in which parents of a disabled child seek counseling for the strain placed on their relationship by child care demands. The importance of understanding each other's perspective on child care and home management is emphasized, along with sharing burdens and maintaining open communication through stressful years. (PB)

In Spanish, the booklet addresses basic information for families with children who have autism. Facts about the syndrome are listed, followed by signs and symptoms, a summary of programmatic requirements, answers to questions frequently asked by families, suggestions to help parents cope, concerns facing adolescents and adults with autism, and…

Examines important issues for parents to consider when dealing with children of divorce and discusses several problem points to avoid, including loyalty conflicts, good parent/evil parent, family secrets, and feeling cheated. Several suggestions for helping children cope are offered. (SM)

This book provides advice on minimizing the negative effects of divorce on children, including what normal behavior to expect, what language to use and not use, and what legal and custody issues will affect the child. The book contains eight chapters. Chapter 1, "The Decision to Separate," covers such topics as breaking the news to children, trial…

This document presents a guide for parents to help them understand and effectively parent their adolescent children. Section I focuses on Parent Haven, a weekly parent support group run by parents, volunteers, and staff of the Family Enhancement Program in Madison, Wisconsin, which provides on-the-job training and support for parents of preteens…

Genetic diseases in children present difficulties to the children themselves and to their families. This article reviews the features of genetic disease, stresses surrounding diagnosis, difficulties associated with each developmental stage, other sources of psychosocial stress on the family (e.g., finances, hospitalization, placement decisions),…

Many researchers have cited the trauma of divorce as being second only to that incurred by the death of child. Yet divorce does not mean the end of a family or of parenting responsibilities. This book focuses on co-parenting and how real divorced parents attempt to make a "family apart" function successfully. The stories and quotes were…

This book illustrates techniques that families have found effective in coping with a family member who has mental retardation. It provides quotations and comments from a number of parents as well as anecdotal accounts and photographs, grouped into four sections. The first section is on the recognition process and recounts how parents have coped…

These parent resource materials address seven topics of concern to parents of preschool, elementary school, and adolescent children. The first brochure offers tips on choosing child care, discussing in-home, family, center, and infant-toddler care. A checklist is included for assessing day care programs, caregivers, and environments. The second…

A case study is presented of a male adolescent whose behavior became increasingly rebellious, rejecting, antisocial, and self-destructive. His family's unsuccessful attempts to resolve the problems are described from the point of view of the counselor, followed by suggestions for building character and coping with changes during adolescence. (JDD)