Parents of children with autism face many challenges that arise from the practical, day-to-day issues of living with autism. The specific goals of this guide are to help parents: (1) find information about autism; (2) distinguish between research-based and non-research-based information; (3) become savvy consumers of information by giving them the…

This book is a step-by-step, concise, and easy-to-read reference for school teams, providers, students, and parents to understand, design, and evaluate positive behavior support (PBS) plans for students with developmental disabilities. It provides a clear conceptual framework on PBS to think critically about how to approach a student's problem…

Outlines the characteristics of a good caregiver and good surroundings for babies, examining the differences among different types of care, discussing costs, and suggesting ways to find an appropriate caregiving situation. (KS)

Adolescence is described as a challenging and frightening time for parents of a child with a disability. The parents' role involves providing opportunities for the child to exhibit independence, developing the child's strengths, and working with professionals as a partner in developing plans for the child's future. (JDD)

This booklet, which is primarily addressed to the needs of two-parent families, provides practical tips for working parents of preschoolers. The booklet focuses on organizing and managing time, streamlining tasks, and fostering an atmosphere of family cooperation. The first section discusses sharing reponsibilities and establishing routines. The…

Adolescence represents a unique period in the life cycle. No longer children and not yet adults, adolescents make significant choices about their health and develop attitudes and health practices that impact their current safety and well-being. Those choices also often influence their risk for future serious chronic disease. Adolescence also…

All children are entitled to a solid education in the United States. There is a good reason for this: For generations, education has been the most reliable path to a better life. A good education offers a better quality of life, including access to good jobs and careers. Getting a good education is even more important today than in the past as…

This guide gives youth with disabilities and their families an overview of some of the major elements of the transition planning process. It introduces families to the adult service system that will provide supports and services after high school. Each chapter is intended to encourage families to be proactive in the planning process. The workbook…

The guide is intended to assist disabled students, their families, and professionals working with them to become familiar with the variety of adult services available and to create a systematic plan for transition from school to adult life. The first section considers the logistics of transition planning and includes a description of the planning…

This manual is intended for parents of high school students with severe disabilities and offers guidelines for evaluating a high school program and ways parents can improve existing programs. In the first section seven key characteristics of a good high school are identified: (1) integrated; (2) age appropriate; (3) community-based; (4)…

This overview provides basic information on the causes of deaf-blindness and the particular challenges faced by individuals who are deaf-blind. Causes of deaf-blindness include various syndromes, multiple congenital anomalies, prematurity, congenital prenatal dysfunction, and various postnatal causes. Differences between people deaf-blind from…

This packet contains six information pages providing basic answers to questions commonly asked by people involved with individuals who are deaf blind. The first one is on understanding deaf-blindness and addresses what the condition is, its impact on the ability to receive information, how the condition affects caregiver strategies, and what it is…

The guide, intended to help teachers, parents, and community workers throughout the world develop educational services for children with severe cerebral palsy, is published in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese. The 11 practitioner-contributed chapters stress specific intervention techniques based on the practitioners' own experiences…

This guide was developed to assist families and professionals working with people having severe disabilities to improve the overall quality of life these individuals experience. An introduction contrasts new attitudes (such as emphasizing individual strengths and personal control and autonomy) with existing practices which often focus on students'…

This workbook is intended to help parents plan for the adult life of their developmentally disabled son or daughter. Much of the book's content is presented in the form of exercises and activities. Part 1 focuses on overall planning and considers living options, working options, and leisure options available in most communities. It offers…