When Your Child Has a Disability : The Complete Sourcebook of Daily and Medical Care, Revised Edition (Paperback)

~ Mark L. Batshaw (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The revised and expanded edition of this must-have guide is a proven resource for caregivers meeting the demands of raising a child with a disability. readers will get updated, expert advice on a wide range of medical and educational issues, and detailed coverage of the daily and long term care requirements of specific disabilities. Answers to frequently asked questions follow the chapters to clearly address common parent concerns like behavior, medication, and potential complications. New and expanded chapters have been added to explore the latest care issues including prematurity, early intervention, legal rights, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, genetic syndromes, and changes in health. Not exclusively for caregivers, this guide is for anyone who seeks clear, user-friendly information for working with children with disabilities.

From the Author

The idea for this book came from a parent who said to me as I was examining her child, "Why don't you write a Dr. Spock for parents of children with disabilities?" As I had previously written a textbook, Children with Disabilities, for professionals, she now wanted me to focus on families, and so I did. Ten years ago I published the first edition of this book. So many medical advances occurred in the 1990's, during the so-called "decade of the brain," however, that it seemed appropriate to completely revise the book. This involved bringing it up to date and adding new chapters on learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and keeping up with changes in health care.

Each chapter begins with the story of a child, illustrating both the challenges and the accomplishments that go with a specific disability. I tried to structure the chapters in the way I conduct a counseling session with a family whose child has a newly diagnosed disability. I talk about the biological mechanisms underlying the disability, how this manifests in symptoms, and what can be done about the problems so that the child can reach his or her full potential. Each chapter ends with questions parents frequently ask.

My goal in writing this book is to inform parents but also to reassure them that they can follow their common sense in caring for their child, that the opportunities for children with disabilities have never been better, and that the future holds great promise for new treatment and improved outcomes.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Brookes Publishing Company; 2 Revised edition (December 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557664722
• ISBN-13: 978-1557664723
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #213,898 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When Your Child Has A Disability, Revised Edition, July 5, 2001

By	Ammon J. Baus (East Greenville, PA (USA)) - See all my reviews

As a parent of a child with a disability, I found in this book some of the best information and advice that I have read on the subject of children with disabilities. While some chapters deal with specific disabilities, others provide more general valuable information for all parents of children with disabilities (e.g. how to deal with emotions, managing the relationships with medical professionals, the education process, legal rights and how to care for your child throughout his/her lifetime).

The book provides sound expert advice to all parents of a child with a disability - from choosing and visiting doctors to communicating with and feeding your child to dealing with common and not-so-common medical problems to understanding legal and educational rights and benefits. That advice will help parents to appropriately act on behalf of the child. While providing critical information on caring for your child, the authors let parents know that the parents are in charge because nobody knows our children better. The knowlegde from this book will empower parents to do what they believe is in the best interest of the child.

This book is a signifcant resource and a "must read" for any parent of a child with a disability. I suggest not only reading the book, but also keeping it close as a valuable reference tool.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and authoritative., August 31, 2001

By	Allison Martin "Book Reviewer" (comeunity.com) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are the parent of a child who has multiple special needs or are looking for a scholarly and readable introduction to children's disabilities, then When Your Child Has a Disability is a "must read" resource. Relevant and reliable, it is the most comprehensive overview for parents of special needs children that has been published to date.

A well rounded resource like this has been needed for parents for a long time, and Dr. Batshaw has done an remarkable job at fulfilling this need. Crucial topics are covered which are rarely addressed adequately, but are vital to children with special needs - for example, feeding, visual impairment, teeth and dental care.

As moderator of mailing lists on Adoption (from Vietnam) and Prematurity, it is rare that I can recommend a book for both groups, but this is one that meets the needs of many parents.

When Your Child Has a Disability covers four major areas - Getting the Diagnosis, Growing Up with a Disability, Developmental Disabilities, and a brief section called What the Future Holds. Each chapter in these sections is authored by an experienced practitioner in the field. They provide an concise overview for each subject, an explanation of the terminology, and a number of practical suggestions for your child.

The section on Growing Up with a Disability covers topics vital to parents of children with special needs, such as nutrition and feeding, dental care, and encouraging appropriate behavior. Specific disabilities are covered in the Developmental Disability section, including many disabilities linked to prematurity. Twelve developmental disabilities are addressed - cerebral palsy, hearing loss, autism, mental retardation, visual impairment, communication disorders, learning disorders, down syndrome, genetic syndromes, spina bifida, and epilepsy.

For parents of children who have special needs (or are "at risk" for developmental disabilities), When Your Child Has a Disability is invaluable. . No other book comes close for educated, practical coverage of developmental disabilities, and accompanying special needs, in children.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Complete Handbook for Parents of Special Kids, January 20, 2001

By	Patricia Simon (Lake Worth,FL) - See all my reviews

"When Your Child Has a Disability" is the complete handbook needed for every parent with a disabled child.The book provides assurance to parents that they are not alone,while giving answers to commonly asked questions.The information provided enables parents to act as the child's advocate without fear.The book is easily understood and gives advice without frightening parents that they may not have the power or education necessary to fight for the child's well-being.Every parent of a disabled child should have this book as a reference.