Parentalplegia

Abstract

While mental and physical handicaps directly affect many children, a more subtle secondary condition often occurs within the families of handicapped children. As parents develop coping mechanisms for the various types, degrees, and stages of their youngster's handicapping condition, the dynamics of the family often are affected. The authors of this article use the term parentalplegia to focus on the secondary parental problems caused by children's primary handicapping condition, and use specific case studies of a mental retardate and two cerebral palsied children to help illustrate how parents' behavior is often clearly modified as a result of their child's handicapping condition. With misinformation and distortion of thought serving as precursors of parentalplegia, the authors suggest ways to remediate the effects of this problem through the use of educational and affective strategies. The article hopefully will remind child study persons of the need for a holistic approach to working with the handicapped.