The Special Child: A Source Book for Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities, 2d ed.

The Special Child provides basic information about developmental disabilities, as well as information about the rights of, and resources available to, parents of children with disabilities. It is aimed specifically at parents and presents information using a straightforward factual approach, interspersed with first-person practical discussions. The book is divided into five sections: a definition of a developmental disability, the disability's effect on a family, and the role of professionals who work with families; common problems and disabilities affecting these children; possible causes of disabilities; common procedures, equipment, and treatments for children with disabilities; and a group of related topics including explanations of assessments, schooling and legal issues, and resource development. There are appended resource organization lists and suggested readings. There are no tables, but they are not missed.

This book is one of the best in recent years in terms of understandability, rapport with its readers, and completeness of coverage of a topic that has widespread ramifications. It is at its best when addressing emotional and controversial issues that affect families, "We hope that, when you were told of your child's disability, it was done with tact and sensitivity. Unfortunately, that is not everyone's experience."

Throughout the book, topics from how a single parent gets respite care, to a parent's rights when dealing with schools, to how to set up a trust fund are very nicely addressed. With few exceptions, the authors attempt to give parents didactic information and an understanding of the parents' rights to question procedures and results, and to assert their own preferences and identify resources for second opinions or additional information. Various medical, psychological, and educational tests are described, results interpreted, and pertinent questions parents should ask are discussed. The authors present causes and treatment of disabilities and try to explain the large degree of individuality in choosing correct approaches, and the lack of complete knowledge that still exists about many conditions.

The flaws in the text are few and are usually those of omission. The discussion of seizure disorders is perfunctory, and the seizure classification system is outdated. The authors classify seizures as generalized tonic-clonic, absence, myoclonic, partial lobe, and simple febrile. The Commission on Classification and Terminology of the International League Against Epilepsy (1985) classified seizures as partial or generalized. This classification is much easier to understand than the one used by the authors. When discussing seizure medications, only the older standard medications (eg, Dilantin, phenobarbital, Tegretol, Depakene) are included. it would have been useful to add the newer drugs (eg, Felbatol, Neurontin, Vigabotrin, and Lamactal). Discussion of the release and then restrictions placed on Felbatol would have been instructional for understanding how new drugs are developed and monitored. The medications discussed for antidepression also did not include Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft, the newest in the field. These deletions detract from the thoroughness and otherwise state-of-the-art status of the text. There is almost no mention of gastroesophageal reflux, self-injurious behavior, and dual diagnosis. Children with these disabilities create serious, frustrating problems for their families. The authors have done so well with the rest of their material, it would have been nice to see these issues addressed as well.

This book would be a very useful addition to the resource library of anyone who works with people with developmental disabilities. It should also be recommended to any parent of such a person.

Patsy L Whitney, PT Liberty Healthcare Salem, Ore

Ms Whitney is assistant clinical director of physical therapy at Oregon Fairview Training Center, specializing in the care of individuals with multiple developmental disabilities. She is currently involved in research on the effects of static weight-bearing the bone density of nonambulatory individuals on antiepileptic medications.