Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child with a Disability, Revised Edition

by Robert A. Naseef

Not just another resource on parenting. More than a book on autism. This important book is a must-have guide for any parent of a child with a disability as well as anyone who works with or cares for those families. Special Children, Challenged Parents shares the unique perspective of a father of a son with autism, with additional reflection from his perspective as a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with families of children with disabilities. This moving book illustrates the impact that a child's disability has on the entire family. It is a valuable aid to parents dealing with fear, guilt, shame, sibling rivalry, marital strain, and other challenges. Though the author's personal experience is with autism, this book will be a valuable resource for families of children with a wide range of disabilities. Readers learn about resources, such as support groups, for working through complex emotions and about techniques for communicating effectively with professionals. Special Children, Challenged Parents addresses issues of bonding between parent and child and presents strategies for dealing with challenging behavior. Additional chapters are devoted to special issues for the family of a child with a disability, including the relationship between the parents, the effect on siblings, and the needs of fathers, who the author feels often require special support to express and deal with their emotions in the challenging role of parent to a child with special needs. This book provides a unique and touching look at parenting and disability.

Genres: Parenting

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this was a tough one to get through (at times, pretty depressing), I really appreciated and enjoyed this book. Naseef provides an excellent balance between stories from his own experience as a father of a child with a disability and advice and suggestions from his career as a psychologist specializing in working with parents of children with disabilities. Definitely a must-read for parents coming to terms with the news that their child has a disability, as well as for educators and other professionals working with these parents, as it is so important for us to understand what they've been through and what they've had to deal with.

[Heather Fizur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an honest account of what is entailed in parenting a special needs child. It is the story of a father of an Autistic individual as well as a professional psychologist that helps other parents on their journey. This book helped me immensly especially when my son was young navigate the different emotions one experiences on this journey. Although it is out of print I usually have a couple copies on hand from resalea to give to people going through this process.

[Mark Glaeser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good read, especially parents looking to find justification in their grieving. As a dad I worry a lot that I’m the only one who thinks the way I do or worries about the things I have worried about. This book acknowledges those feelings and gives ways to cope and work through the grieving process.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had lots of parents' stories as well as professional advice. It has the distinct advantage of being written by a professional who takes care of familes who have a member with special needs in addition to being a father of a boy with severe autism. He allowed me into the mind of fathers of children with special needs, it was very enlightening. It came from a personal perspective and I found myself grieving all over again. It was also relieving and almost cathartic to read that grieving the loss of a "perfect child" is very different from grieving a child that has died; the loss continues at every missed milestone or every hospital stay and that is how our heart works...and that's okay. The constant anxiety is normal with a child who has chronic illness and provides a purpose (albeit at times, a dysfunctional one) to keep our children safe. I definitely want to buy this book to keep as reference.

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sanctimonious and depressing. There might be some gems in here somewhere but I didn't find them.