Abstract:
There has been increasing recognition of the importance of asking more positive questions about perceptions and experiences of families of children with developmental disabilities. In the present study, 14 parents participated in an interview study and 33 parents responded to an electronic mail survey based on the interview. Parents were asked about the positive impact of their child with disabilities had on themselves and the child's siblings and extended family. Results show that parents reported a range of positive perceptions and experiences for themselves and for other family members, and these were similar to categories identified in previous research. Furthermore, parents were generally found to have positive perceptions of the future of their child and their family. Implications for furture family research and for family interventions are discussed.
*In the electronic mail survey, 12% of participants reported a "strengthened religious faith."
Author(s): Helen M. Taunt & Richard P. Hastings
Journal: Education and Training in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
Date: 2002
Volume: 37
Issue: 4
Pages: 410-420
DOI:
Databased: Yes
Disabilities: General, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Disability
Categories: Families