Disability Across the Developmental Lifespan

An Introduction for the Helping Professions

This is the only text to examine the experience of disability in relation to theories of human growth and development. It provides a foundational and comprehensive examination of disability that encompasses the intellectual, psychiatric, physical, and social arenas. The second edition is updated to underscore its versatility as an introductory text about the developmental tasks of people with disabilities for all the helping professions. Reorganized to illuminate the book's interdisciplinary focus, it includes new demographics, new case studies and first-person accounts, discussions on cultural aspects of disabilities, family concerns, and more.

The text delivers practice guidelines for each of the conventional life stages and describes the developmental tasks of individuals with disabilities (IDs). It emphasizes the positive trend in the perception of IWDs as normal and underscores the fact that IWDs have the same motivations, emotions, and goals as those without disabilities. Learning activities, suggestions for writing exercises, and websites for further study reinforce learning, as do graphs and charts illustrating trends and demographics.

Content

Preface

Disability and Developmental Stages: Introduction

PART I. DISABILITY AND DEMOGRAPHICS

  1. Understanding Disability

    Introduction

    The Unwarranted Fear That IWDs Provoke in IWODs

    "People Meet My Disability Before They Meet Me"

    Three Broad Categories of Disabilities

    Unique Demands of Psychiatric Disabilities

    Viewing Mental Illnesses as Disabilities

    Individuals With Psychiatric Disabilities Experience Prejudice and Discrimination

    Why Categorize Disabilities?

    The Increasing Rates of Disability

    Do We Want More IWDs?

    Disability Is Both Common and Natural

    Other Factors in the Disability

    From Stigma Management to Identity Politics

    What Do IWDs Want?

    Related Topics

    Conclusion

    Key Terms

    Videos to View

    Learning Activities and Writing Exercises

    Website Resources

    References

  2. Basic Principles of Developmental Theories and Demographic Changes

    Introduction

    Theories Determine the Conceptualizations of "Normal" and "Abnormal"

    Aspects of Most Developmental Theories

    Chronological and Biological Age

    Social and Cultural Interpretations of Biological Age

    Components of Developmental Theories Based On Biology

    The Continuity of Development

    Discontinuous Growth

    Epigenetic Developmental Stages

    Ego Disequilibrium

    Off-Time Transitions

    Control and Agency

    Experiencing Loss

    Changing Demographics

    Religion and Developmental Stages

    The Goals of Human Development and Growth

    The Value of Theories

    Related Topics

    Conclusion

    Key Terms

    Video to View

    Learning Activities

    Writing Exercises

    Website Resources

    References

  3. Major Demographic Changes and Ways in Which Disabilities Interact With Stages of Development

    Introduction

    Demographic Changes and Medical Advances Are Catalysts for the Creation of New Professions

    Dividing Life Into Developmental Stages

    Ways in Which Disability Affects Developmental Stages

    Three Factors That Will Bring IWDs Into the American Culture

    Ways in Which Developmental Stages Are Affected by Disability

    Three Irreversible Biological Transitions

    Adapting to a Disability

    Disability as Growth and Development

    Related Topics

    Conclusion

    Key Terms

    Videos to View

    Learning Activities

    Writing Exercises

    Website Resources

    References

    PART II. THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES

  4. Pregnancy and Infancy

    Introduction

    The Social Aspects of Pregnancy

    Neurogenesis

    The Biological Aspects of Pregnancy

    Congenital Disabilities

    The Apgar Scale for Neonates (Newborns)

    Causes of Congenital Disabilities

    Down Syndrome

    Schizophrenia

    Hearing Loss

    Vision Loss

    Cerebral Palsy

    Spina Bifida

    Low-Incidence Disabilities

    The Individual's Adjustment to Congenital Disability

    Disability Identity

    Developmental Theories of Newborns With Congenital

    Disabilities

    The Polio Epidemics

    Ethical Issues

    Infancy: Birth to 2 Years

    Medically Fragile and Technology-Dependent Infants

    Parents' Adjustment

    What Do Parents Need?

    Positive Aspects of Parenting an Infant With a Disability

    Related Topics

    Conclusion

    Key Terms

    Videos to View

    Learning Activities

    Writing Exercises

    Website Resources

    Case Study: Loretta and Bob and Their Newborn Baby

    References

  5. Toddlerhood and Early Childhood: Ages 18 Months to 5 Years

    Introduction

    Importance of Toddlerhood and Early Childhood

    Developmental Tasks of Toddlers

    Childhood Disabilities

    Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Developmental Tasks of Toddlers With Disabilities

    Developmental Tasks of Preschoolers With Disabilities

    The Prejudice of Preschoolers Without Disabilities

    The Effect of Physical Attractiveness

    Early Intervention Programs

    The Developmental Theories

    Related Topics

    Key Terms

    Videos to View

    Learning Activities

    Writing Exercises

    Website Resources

    Case Study: Jason and Early Intervention

    References

  6. School Age: Ages 5 to 12 Years

    Introduction

    Seven Years of Development

    The Demographics of School-Age Children

    The Social Definition of Childhood

    The Physical Growth of Children, Ages 5 to 12

    Developmental Tasks of Ages 6 to 12

    School-Age Children With Disabilities

    Developmental Tasks of School-Age Children With Disabilities

    Special Education

    The Continuum of School Placement

    Residential Schools

    Developmental Theorists' Views of Early School Age

    Related Topics

    The Family and Disability

    Conclusion

    Key Terms

    Videos to View

    Learning Activities

    Writing Exercises

    Website Resources

    Case Study: Ben: A School-Age Boy With a Mild Intellectual Disability and ADDHD

    References

  7. Adolescence (Ages 13 to 18) and Emerging Adulthood (Ages 19 to 25)

    Introduction

    Defining Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

    Adolescence

    Developmental Tasks of Adolescence

    Developing an Identity

    Components of Emerging Adulthood

    Body Image

    Dating

    Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

    Marriage

    Donal

    Career Development

    Adolescents and Emerging Adults With Disabilities

    Developmental Tasks of Adolescents and Emerging Adults With Disabilities

    Spinal Cord Injuries

    Traumatic Brain Injuries

    "Thrills and Chills" Personality

    Traumatic Onset Disabilities

    Alcohol and Substance Abuse in Adolescents and Emerging Adults

    Amputations

    Substance Abuse (or Drug Abuse) Today

    Developmental Theorists' Views on Adolescence

    Related Topics

    Conclusion

    Key Terms

    Videos to View

    Learning Activities

    Writing Exercises

    Website Resources

    Case Study: Rodney, Girls, and Dating

    References

  8. Adulthood Ages (25 to 40) and Midlife (Ages 40 to 60)

    Introduction

    The Changing Conceptualizations of Adulthood and Midlife

    Early Adulthood

    Parenthood

    Vocational Identity

    Developmental Tasks of Adulthood and Late Adulthood

    Self-Identity in Adulthood and Late Adulthood

    Disability in Adulthood and Midlife: Eternal Children

    Chronic Illnesses and Midlife

    The Generational Effect of the Americans With Disabilities Act

    Career and Vocational Identity for IWDs

    Typical Midlife-Onset Disabilities

    Aspects of Chronic Illness and Midlife Disabilities

    Developmental Tasks of Adults With Chronic Illness and Disabilities

    Responding to a Diagnosis of a Chronic Illness or Disability in Adulthood

    Chronic Pain

    Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances

    In Sickness (Disability) and Health: Midlife Marriage With a Disability

    Parenthood With a Disability

    The Parentification of Children of Parents With Disabilities

    CODAs-Children of Deaf Adults

    Assistive Technology

    Role Models and Disabled Heroes

    The Theorists' View on Adulthood and Midlife

    Related Topics

    The Family and Disability

    Culture, Developmental Stages, and Disability

    Intersectionality and Disability

    Conclusion

    Key Terms

    Videos to View

    Learning Activities

    Writing Exercises

    Website Resources

    Case Study: Mario the Veterinarian

    References

  9. The Young Elderly (Ages 60 to 75) and the Old Elderly (Ages 75 Until Death), and the Longevity Revolution or the Silver Tsunami

    Introduction

    Effects of Longevity Revolution

    Demographics of the Silver Tsunami

    The Old Old

    Successful Aging

    Two Theories of Human Aging

    Physical Aspects of Aging

    Cognitive Declines in Old Age

    Two Types of Intelligence

    Personality Changes

    Developmental Tasks of Late Life

    Responding to Physical Declines

    Marriage in Late Life

    Retirement

    Generational Equity

    Responding to Role Transitions

    Advances in Medicine Have Changed the Experience of Death and Dying

    Suicide in Late Life

    Making Meaning

    Developmental Theorists" View of Late Life: "The Night of the Ego"

    The Young Elderly With Disabilities (Ages 60-75) and the Old Elderly With Disabilities (Ages 75 Until Death)

    Onset of a Disability in Late Life

    Individuals in Late Life Tend to Adjust Better to Disability

    Disabilities in Late Life

    Psychiatric Disabilities

    Assisted Suicide and IWDs

    Related Topics

    Conclusion

    Key Terms

    Videos to View

    Learning Activities

    Writing Exercises

    Website Resource

    Case Study: Margaret the Nurse With Dementia and Macular Degeneration

    References

    PART III. ACQUISITION OF A DISABILITY AS A SOCIALLY SANCTIONED DEVELOPMENTAL TASK

  10. Connecting the Dots: Acquisition of a Disability as a Socially Sanctioned and Supported Developmental Task

    Introduction

    Demographic Changes

    Defining Disability: A Complex and Multifactorial Process

    The Relationship Between Theory and Practice

    The Value of Developmental Theories

    Disability Is Both Common and Natural and Should Be Considered a Public Responsibility

    Responding to a Disability: A Socially Sanctioned and Supported Developmental Task

    Acknowledgments

    References

    Electronic Resources

    Appendix: Additional Readings

    Index