Exceptional Psychology (L3)

• The direction of causation between child and adult behavior is a two-way street
• Many parents of children with a disability are very adept at adjusting their interactions with their children to maximize positive development
• Stage Theory Approach

  1. Shock and disruption

  2. Denial

  3. Sadness

  4. Anxiety and fear

  5. Anger

  6. Adaptation
• Guilt


  One of the most commonly reported feelings of parents of exceptional children
• Parental stress isn't always linked to the severity of the child's disability
• Mothers of children with disabilities are vulnerable to depression
• Child's feelings

  Parents need to address the topic without making the disability seem more important than it actually is
• Siblings' Reactions

  They might initially have an even more difficult time than their parents in coping with some of the negative feelings
• Other family members


  Extended family members can often play a critical role in providing comfort and support to the immediate family
• Family-centered model

  Professionals encourage the families to make their own decisions with respect to services while mobilizing resources and formal and informal supports for the family's goals
• Wraparound service systems

  Using not only educational services but available community services to meet the individualized needs of children and their families
• Family systems theory

  • Understanding the individual's behavior in the context of the family and understanding the family's behavior
  • Family characteristics (size, culture, SES, etc.)
  • Family interaction (cohesion, adaptability)
  • Family functions (routines)
  • Family life cycle (transitions between stages)
• Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)

  Evaluation of the antecedents, consequences, and contextual factors that maintain inappropriate behavior
• Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS)


  Systematic use of scientific principles emphasizing supporting or reinforcing appropriate behavior instead of punishing inappropriate behavior
• Key to the success of a program

  How well parents and professionals work together
• Communication between the teacher and parents

  1. Start as soon as possible

  2. Parent-teacher conferences

  3. Home-note programs

  4. Traveling notebooks