Choose three issues from the list and discuss how professionals' attitudes toward parents and families have changed over time: vision, support and assistance, socialization, hope for the future, instructional emphasis, and social support.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ans: Vision
Traditional: accept burden of child with disability; accept limitations
Contemporary: consider the possibilities; dream; vision replaces despair
Support and Assistance
Traditional: difficulties coping psychological and psychiatric interventions are psychological or psychiatric counseling
Contemporary: families can benefit from one another
Socialization
Traditional: mothers need respite to alleviate the stress and burden of caring for their children
Contemporary: Children with disabilities need friends and opportunities to participate in recreational activities
Hope for the Future
Traditional: mothers need clinical information about disabilities
Contemporary: families need information and inspiration from those successfully integrated into the community
Instructional Emphasis
Traditional: mothers need training in skill development and behavior management
Contemporary: families need ways to ensure child has the functional education taught in natural environments
Social Support
Traditional: many families are not financially able to meet their child’s needs – out-of-home placement
Contemporary: subsidies/tax credits to help meet financial demands associated with disabilities in home and family setting