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Building school support systems for parents of handicapped children: The parent Education and Guidance program
Author(s) -
Volenski Leonard T.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
psychology in the schools
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1520-6807
pISSN - 0033-3085
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6807(199504)32:2<124::aid-pits2310320208>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - psychology , coping (psychology) , interpersonal communication , emotional support , parent education , developmental psychology , social skills , interpersonal relationship , medical education , social support , clinical psychology , social psychology , medicine
The Parent Education and Guidance Program was motivated by the belief that the fostering of a positive, ongoing relationship between the school and home can have a significant bearing on the development of family strengths for coping with a handicapped child. The training program utilized parent support groups and professionals from various fields to involve parents of handicapped children in group process directed toward the holistic approach to meeting the child's social, emotional, and intellectual needs. During the course of the program it became apparent that parents needed the help and support of other parents who shared similar difficulties related to having a handicapped child in the family. Issues related to developing personal awareness as well as interpersonal skills were dealt with at the parent meetings. An atmosphere of mutual understanding and support between members of the Child Study Team and parents developed as a result of less formalized and more relaxed contact during the 8‐month program.