This innovative book's straightforward, easy-to-read chapters offer parents who have children with special needs a fresh, affirming perspective on the challenges of family life. Practical and nonjudgmental, this book guides parents through the process of adaptation. It describes specific strategies for success in balancing one's own life; developing a parenting partnership; and interacting with children, friends, relatives, professionals, and others. Candid, inspiring, and often humorous reflections of four mothers who are raising children with disabilities are included throughout. This book also provides an exceptionally sensitive portrayal of parenting and reaches across a wide range of special needs.
Nancy B. Miller is a social worker and anthropologist who has worked with children with disabilities and their families form more than 30 years. One of Dr. Miller's major interests has been the influence of American culture on attitudes about disabilities. She has been on the UCLA faculty for more than 25 years and has developed and taught courses in developmental disabilities in the School of Social Welfare, was Social work Training Coordinator with the University Affiliated Program, which provides interdisciplinary training in disabilitites for graduate students in a wide variety of disciplines, and was Social Work and Clinical Research Coordinator in the UCLA Department of Pediatrics Early Intervention Program. She was a consultant for UCLA Child Care Services for 20 years.
Dr. Miller is the author of Nobody's Perfect : Living and Growing with Children Who Have Special Needs, which received a Child Magazine Best Parenting Book Award for Excellence in Family Issues.