Part One: The Family Systems Perspective Chapter 1 Family Characteristics

Sharing their Story The Lindauer family can be described as a family by reason and blood. Eric and Christine are the parents and Luke is their 3 year old toddler. Luke doesn’t have a medical diagnosis, but has very low muscle tone, speech limitations and poor vision. Both parents are highly educated. Both graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology; have lived and worked in large cities, but now reside in a town in North Carolina.

Share their Story Luke attends an inclusive pre-school while both parents work outside the home. There is limited involvement with the grandparents or other relatives due to geographical distances. Christine has a sister who has intellectual disabilities. She describes her extended family as tightly-knit, while Eric’s parents are divorced and remarried. Eric’s father and stepmother are planning to move to their town for part of the year. Their cultural background is German American and socioeconomic status is said to be mixed.

Think About It What single trait do they have that is most likely to make them want to partner with you and other educators? What trait is most likely to challenge you, and other educators, as you seek to be a partner with them? What partnerships with professionals have Christine and Eric already had, and what can you learn about them from their previous partnerships with professionals?

Family Systems Framework

Characteristics of the Family as a Whole Family Size and Form Cultural Background Socioeconomic Status Geographic Location

Characteristics of the Family as a Whole How is the term family defined? US Census : A group of two or more people who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption who reside together. Our view: Families include two or more people who regard themselves as family and who carry out the functions that families typically perform. They may not be related by blood or marriage and they may or may not usually live together.

Characteristics of the Family as a Whole What size and form are families today? Family size and form refer to the number of children, number of parents, presence of step-parents , number of live in family members who are unrelated by blood or marriage, and involvement of the extended family.

Size and Form Nearly one-third of all families have a least one member with a disability. The impact of a child’s disability varies depending of family’s size and form. Approximately 1/3 of youth with disabilities live in a single-parent household headed by females. Poverty rate for these families is 40%. These two characteristics combined with the presence of a child with a disability contributes to the likelihood that the family will experience poverty.

Size and Form The new blended families have changed the size and form of the families today. With remarriage of one or both parents in the original family, blended families include children and extended family members of two or more marriages. Over a half of million children reside in foster care today and Over 2.5 million children are being raised by grandparents.

Cultural & Microcultural Characteristics Culture: The foundational values and beliefs that set the standards for how people perceive, interpret, and behave within their environments; Microcultures: The multiple influences that create a person’s overall cultural identity; Influencing Factors: Religion, language, gender, race, ethnicity, age, geography, and income.

Racial/Ethnic Composition of Special Education A family’s culture, socioeconomic status (SES), and geographic location are interrelated variables which impact the likelihood of the child receiving special education services. Overrepresentation of African-American students in programs for students with mental retardation and emotional disturbance. Overrepresentation of Euro-American and Asian American student in programs for students identified as gifted and/or talented.

Immigration and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) More than 2.5 million students received services for LEP in 1997. 5.5% of these students were identified as having exceptionalities. Approximately 75% of students are eligible for free or reduced-lunch.

Immigration and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) LEP population is vulnerable for discrimination in evaluation. LEP families identify communication as a major barrier to developing partnerships.

Differences in Cultural Values Perspectives Individualistic Collective Preferences (Solutions) System-centered Relationship-centered

Differences in Cultural Values Individualistic Individualism, self-reliance, early achievement, of developmental milestones Individualism is a fundamental premise of special education Collectivism Group over individual African American, Asian, Middle Eastern

Impact of Cultural Values A family’s perspective influences the way in which they envision and participate in home-school partnerships, services for their child and family, and the dreams they may hold for their children.

Impact of Socioeconomic Status The odds that a child will receive special education services is 1.5 times greater for children living in poverty. Although some parents of low SES status may find it difficult to contribute to their child’s education, other families of similar status are highly motivated to participate in family-professional partnerships.

Impact of Socioeconomic Status SES: Includes income, level of family member’s education, and the social status associated with the occupation of its wage earners Approximately 1/3 of students with disabilities come from households where the annual income is less that $25,000.

Impact of Geographic Location Rural Challenges Time and distance required to secure services and create meaningful partnerships. Ability to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and specialists. Urban Challenges Large percentage of students with LEP leading to difficulties in evaluation. Ability to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and specialists.

Characteristics of Individual Members The following individual characteristics of each family member can serve to strengthen or limit the entire family: Characteristics of exceptionality. A family member’s skills in managing life. A family member’s physical and mental health. A family member’s communication style. A family member’s motivation.

Variables Impacting a Family’s Response to Disability Nature of the disability: Type of disability present in the family Priorities of families often reflect the nature and presenting needs of the disability Extent and Age of Onset of the Disability: Families differ in their response to a disability based on the degree of the disability and time at which the disability is discovered

Life Management Skills Techniques people use to solve their problems: Reframing Passive Appraisal Spiritual Support Social Support Professional Support

Unique Circumstances The experiences or conditions that are separate from a disability, but also are influencing factors as to how family members interact, carry our their functions, and change across the life cycle. Homelessness Parents with Disabilities Teenage Parents

Revisiting Luke, Christine, and Eric Lindauer The future is uncertain for the Lindauer family. As their future unfolds their views on disabilities and special education will be shaped. Their view on Luke’s disability is one of unconditional love and acceptance, not only of Luke but of the challenges of parenting a child with a disability.

Summary The first step in an effective partner is to understand the characteristics of the family, the characteristics of individual members and, unique circumstances Family Size and Form Cultural Background Socioeconomic Status Geographic Location

Linking Content to Your Life The key to understanding family characteristics is rooted in recognizing family patterns you have experienced. The reflection tasks given on page 23 provides opportunity to learn about family characteristics as you begin entering into new partnerships.