The article reviews literature pertaining to general effects of a developmentally disabled child on a family with particular emphasis on implications for families with learning disabled children. Covered are aspects of individual and family life cycles during various life stages, sibling adjustment, and intervention approaches with the child and…

The article reviews recent literature on families of learning disabled (LD) children. The literature describing parental reactions to the diagnosis of learning disabilities and the problems inherent in living with these children is discussed, as well as the children's reactions. (Author)

This article argues that an investigation into parents' expectations could lead to a greater understanding of how parents of children with disabilities respond to their new-found situation. It discusses how people develop their understanding through interaction with their social environment and relates this framework to parents of children with…

This article synthesizes the research defining social problems of some children with learning disabilities, especially the role of communication skills deficits. Traditional emphases on family dysfunction, school failure, or personality disturbances are seen to be negated by research which suggests that neural aberrations trigger deficient…

The paper summarizes learning disabilities research related to the possible maintenance or amplification of information-processing deficits by deviant styles of parental communication, and maintenance or amplification of attention deficits by an underorganized family structure. Findings are related to four etiological models: environmental,…

This paper outlines the changes that occur in family systems when a child is diagnosed with special needs and examines the structure of dysfunctional families in which there is a child with physical disabilities, including chronic illness; behavior disorders, including social maladjustment; learning disabilities; or mental retardation. (JDD)