Presentation Transcript
Family Life Cycle :Family Life Cycle Families of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities *You may have to press the space bar to move from slide to slide.
Family Life Cycle Theory :Family Life Cycle Theory How a family changes over time.
Consists of ‘stages’ through which families progress
Certain developmental tasks are evident in each stage
Periods of transition occur when families move from one stage to the next
Disability affects the way families progress through these stages.
Birth & Early Childhood :Birth & Early Childhood When the child has a disability, parents are…
Discovering and coming to terms with disability
Prenatal; at birth; and early childhood diagnosis
Grief process?
Learning about and participation in early childhood services
Often first interaction with professionals specializing in the area of disability
Gaps exist in stated policy and practice.
Childhood :Childhood When the child has a disability, parents are…
Developing a vision for the future
Great expectations
Freedom to dream
Developing a Perspective on the Appropriateness of Inclusion for their Child
What inclusion ‘is’ varies from person to person
Parents often have to fight for inclusion
Adolescence :Adolescence When the child has a disability, parents are…
Dealing with their child’s sexuality
Unaware of changing needs or unwilling to deal with these needs
Afraid of exploitation and abuse
Helping children become independent
Self-Determination
Self-Advocacy
Adulthood :Adulthood When the child has a disability, parents are…
Helping identify post-secondary educational programs and supports
Advanced degrees
Continuing education
Accessing supported employment and supported living options
What is supported employment? :What is supported employment? Competitive work in integrated work settings for individuals with severe handicaps for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred, or for individuals for whom competitive employment has been interrupted or intermittent as a results of a severe disability, and who because of their handicap need ongoing support services to perform such work.
What is supported living? :What is supported living? People, regardless of their disabilities, should live in the community where they want, with whom they want, for as long as they want, with whatever supports they need to make that happen.
Individuals are not required to have certain skills before living in a certain place.
Three Dimensions of Adulthood :Three Dimensions of Adulthood Autonomy
Self-sufficiency
Self-determination
Completeness
Membership
Citizenship
Affiliation
Change