Types of Family

1
Types of Family

• Nuclear Family
• Extended Family
• Single-parent Family
• Reconstituted Family

2
Characteristics of Contemporary American Families

• Diversity is the norm
• Marrying, having children later
• Higher divorce rates
• More single-parent families
• More remarriages/ reconstituted families
• More births to single moms/ decline in birth rate
• Higher family incomes

3
Family Systems Perspective

• Not child-focused
• All members are equally important

4
Components of family-centered practice

• Focus on family
• Emphasis on mutual respect and teamwork
• Organize assistant to individual family needs
• Consider family strengths, talents, resources,
  attributes and aspirations
• Address family needs holistically (all members)
• Give families information in supportive manner
• Recognize that there are typical family reactions
  
• Deliver services without disrupting family
  integrity and routine

5
Reactions to Raising a Child with a Disability

• Confronting Phase
• Shock
• Denial
• Anxiety
• Guilt
• Adjusting Phase
• Depression
• Anger
• Acceptance
• Adapting Phase
• Life-cycle changes
• Realistic planning
• Adjusting expectations

6
Strategies to promote Family Empowerment

• Involve families in planning
• Personalize contacts between helpers and families
• Networking with other families
• Child-care and transportation
• Offer variety of activities
• Focus on prevention of risk factors
• Advocate for collaborative community services

7
Collaborative Teaming

• Common goal or set of goals to which all parties
  agree
• Agreement on strategies for achieving each goal
• Commitment to meaningful interactions, individual
  skill development, and task completion
• Commitment to positive interdependence
• Commitment to system of decision making and
  accountability