Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child With a Disability [Paperback]

Robert A. Naseef (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1557665354 | ISBN-13: 978-1557665355 | Publication Date: January 2001 | Edition: Revised

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A welcome beacon of light, information, and inspiration to the beleaguered families searching for help and hope. -- ~ Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. Founder of the Autism Society of America Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., Founder of the Autism Society of America

Dr. Naseef clearly understands the complex range of issues that parents face, because he has experienced these concerns firsthand. -- Nancy D. Wiseman, Founder & President, First Signs, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Brookes Publishing Company; Revised edition (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557665354
• ISBN-13: 978-1557665355
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #467,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An honest look at the grief a special needs parent feels., January 22, 2003

By 

Lisa R. Simmons (Enid, OK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child With a Disability (Paperback)

Usually when I review a book, I'm looking for one that's reader-friendly (a quick read, written in understandable language, and offering practical ideas). By that definition, this book may not fit. Is "Special Children, Challenged Parents" written in
understandable language? Yes. Does it offer practical ideas? Definitely. Will it be a quick read? Probably not. You see, Dr. Naseef's book is going to touch your emotions. This is perhaps the most honest book I have ever read on the grieving process of parents struggling to accept and raise a child with special needs. By sharing his own story and those of other parents he has interviewed and worked with, Dr. Naseef discusses why this process is so hard and what parents can do to survive the process and come out on the other side. But perhaps Dr. Naseef's most valuable contribution is his message for fathers. Fathers very rarely fit comfortably into the role of fathering a child with special needs and Dr. Naseef's unique
qualifications as both a father and a psychologist have given him rare insights to help other Dads facing this challenge. This may not be an "easy read", but if you're a parent struggling with your emotional responses to your child -- it is definitely a "must read".

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Away from the Trenches?, February 26, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child With a Disability (Paperback)

This book is a good, basic book outlining the grief process and other major common emotional issues in raising a child with a disability. However, as the mother of an autistic child who is with her child 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I can't help but wonder about the authenticity of the author's personal experience "parenting" an autistic child, as his own autistic child has been institutionalized for a huge segment of his life while the author went on to have more children and a very normal homelife. It feels to me like the man "skipped out" on the real experience of raising his autistic son himself and elected to become a part-time parent to the child, then felt himself capable of writing a book about it. I find it hard to believe that he truly understands the day to day life of a full-time parent of an autistic child, given his own choices, however "right" they may have been for his son.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very thoughtful book on special needs kids and families, January 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child With a Disability (Hardcover)

I am a psychologist who works with children and families, many of whom are grappling with difficult issues related to a medical condition, behavioral problem, or learning disability. This book provides sound advice written in plain English from a psychologist whose son is autistic. I have recommended Dr. Naseef's book to a number of my clients because of how thoughtfully he combines his own story with a practical guide for parents and others who care for a child with special needs. A wide range of issues are covered, and all are essential. A great find on Amazon- thanks!