Children with developmental disabilities : considering positive impact on the family system

Families who have at least one child with a developmental disability face challenges unique to their situation. With reported incidents of developmental disabilities on the rise, research parameters are being expanded to give more complete consideration of growing family needs. While the historical treatment of these families has often been negative, current research trends have begun to consider positive impact on families. Positive impact includes areas such as quality of life, the child as a source of happiness, and an overall increase in personal family strength. The trend towards positivism is beginning to be reflected in theoretical understanding and in the delivery of interventions to families. As practitioners continue to incorporate positive, ideology into their theoretical framework, families with a child with a disability will reap the benefits