resources
Parenting teenagers
Shanta Everington, DPPI Deputy Editor, reviews two guides aimed at disabled parents of teenagers, and practitioners. Note: These guides are currently only available in print format.
Working with disabled parents of teenagers by Julie Shepherd, Debi Roker and Simone Baker. 2008, Brighton, Trust for the Study of Adolescence. ISBN 978 1871504 934
Information and support for disabled parents of teenagers by Simone Baker, Julie Shepherd and Debi Roker. 2006, Brighton, Trust for the Study of Adolescence. ISBN 978 1871504 774. Price: £6 per guide. Discount available for orders of over 100 copies. Available from www.deafparent.org.uk).
Quotes from three disabled parents explore parental concerns, as well as highlight what helps them to cope with their teenagers. However, fuller case studies may have been more effective in raising awareness of the needs and experiences of disabled parents. The last four pages list useful publications and websites for disabled parents and those working with them.
This guide builds on the 2006 12-page guide Information and support for disabled parents of teenagers aimed at disabled parents and practitioners. The former guide contains extracts from other publications, two personal experience articles by disabled parents and lists of useful publications and websites for teenagers and disabled parents.
The two personal experience articles, by a mother with multiple sclerosis and a mother with a visual impairment, are particularly valuable in helping to raise awareness of some of the issues faced by disabled parents of teenagers, such as coping with negative behaviour caused by stress, as well as dealing with education and social care services which may not have a full understanding of their needs. These case studies also highlight some positive aspects of disabled parenting, by discussing how teenagers may develop their own levels of maturity, problem solving and independence that will stand them in good stead as they grow older.
In short, these two guides provide useful starting points for professionals working with disabled parents of teenagers.