1. Unit 2: Parents and Families
Prepared by:
Cicilia Evi GradDiplSc., M.Psi

2. Parents … Used to be blame for LD in their children
Parents influence the area of LD more than any other area of special education
Now  work together with teachers at school or therapist at therapy place
Why such changes?
Reciprocal effects
Federal Laws  parents are involved in identification, evaluation and educational placement  IEP, IFSP

3. Treatment Models
Family-centered models  treat family with pride and dignity
Social system approach:
Individual is influenced by his family  which is also influenced by the extended family  and larger social environment

4. Turnbulls’ Family Systems Model
Family Characteristics  descriptive information : family, personal, special conditions
Family Interaction  interaction among family member, cultural beliefs
Cohesion : degree to which individual family members are free to act independently
Adaptability : degree to which families are able to change their modes of interaction when they encounter unusual or stressful situations

5. Turnbulls’ Family Systems Model (2)
Family Functions  activity in which families engage to meet their everyday needs  varies to achieve economic, medical, social and educational needs
Family Life Cycle  the varying stages a family or individual goes through depending on age and stage of development

6. Dunst’s Soc Support System Model
The importance of informal supports for the family  family, friends, neighbors, social club, churches

7. Current Trends The family unit Single parents Gay/lesbian couples
Having fewer children
Waiting longer to get married
↑ mobility of the population

8. Current Trends (2) Race, ethnicity, and language
Sosioeconomic status  poor health care and inadequate nutritions  places children at greater risk of having disability and affects family coping ability

9. Family Adjustment
Reactions  shock and disruption, denial, sadness, anxiety and fear, anger and adaptation (Drotar, dkk, 1975)
Parental Guilt  because the causes are unknown
Parental Stress  deciding how much freedom and independence to allow their children, external attributions and family instability and disruption

10. Family Adjustment (2)
Sibling Reactions  some adjust weel, some are having problems, such as: resentment
Family Reaction  varies!
Re-united after the stormy days
Minor difficulties
Becomes dysfunctional

11. Family Values and Attitudes
Parents are exposing their children to rich environment
Indochinese families in the US  values of getting the highest mark
Parents and homework  from cognitive disabilities to daily mistakes (forget to bring books home, or bring completed homework to school)

12. What They Can Do? Teachers PROJECT Strategy Steps (p. 123)
Parents  help children to choose a quiet, distraction-free area for studying, reinforce the study process
Students  take an active role??
Tutorial  if affordable

13. What They Can Do? Parents as Advocates Parents-Teachers Conference
To impart info to parents  school achievement
Gather info from parents  hobby, interests
Plan IEP
Solve the problems at school
School – Home Note Programs

14. Thank You!