Chronic illness in children: Stressors and family coping strategies

Basic Concepts in Family Therapy: An Introductory Text, Second Edition

Volumn , Issue , 2014, Pages 243-273

  Cohen, M Seren ^a  

^a NONE   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 85039357142     PISSN: None     EISSN: None     Source Type: Book    
DOI: 10.4324/9781315809533-24     Document Type: Chapter

References (130)

1. Andersson, N. and Wold, B. 1992. Parental and peer influences on leisure-time physical activity. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 67(4):341-348.
2. Andrew, G., Oldridge, N., and Parker, J. 1981. Reasons for dropout from exercise programs in post-coronary patients. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 13(2): 164-168.
3. Bauman, K., Poshee, V., Linzer, M., and Koch, G. 1990. Effect of parental smoking classification on the association between parental and adolescent smoking. Addictive Reports, 15(5):413-422.
4. Belar, C. 1997. Clinical health psychology: A specialty for the twenty-first century. Health Psychology, 16(5):411-416.
5. Bennett, D. 1994. Depression among children with chronic medical problems: A me la -analysis. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 19(2): 149-169.
6. Biegel, D., Sales, E., and Schulz, R. 1991. Family caregiving in chronic illness. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
7. Boss, P. 1987. Family stress: Perception and context. In Sussman, M., and Steinmetz, S. (Eds.), Handbook of marriage and the family, (pp. 695-723). New York: Plenum.
8. Boss, P. 1993. The reconstruction of family life with Alzheimer's disease: Generating theory to lower family stress from ambiguous loss. In Ross, P.: Doherty, W., LaRossa R., Sell u mm, W., and Steinmetz, S. (Eds.), Sourcebook of family theories and methods:A contextual approach (pp. 3-30). New York: Plenum.
9. Brand, A., Johnson, J., and Johnson, S. 1986. Life stress and diabetic control in children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 11(4):481 -495.
10. Burg, M. and Seeman, T. 1994. Families and health: The negative side of social lies. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 16(2): 109-115.
11. Cadman, D., Boyle, M., and Offord, D. 1988. The Ontario Child Health Study: Social adjustment and mental health of siblings of children with chronic health problems. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 9(3): 117-121.
12. Cadman, D., Boyle, M., Szatmari, P, and Offord, D. 1987. Chronic illness, disability, and mental and social well being: Findings of the Ontario Child Health Study. Pediatrics, 79(5):805-813.
13. Campbell, T, 1993. Research reports: Impact of family factors on childhood illness. Family Systems Medicine, 11(4), 433-440.
14. Campbell, T, 1995. Research reports: Families and chronic illness reconsidered. Family Systems Medicine, 13(1): 109-117.
15. Canning, R., Harris, E., and Kelleher, K. 1996. Factors predicting distress among caregivers to children with chronic medical conditions. Journal of Pediatric Psychology 21(5):735-749.
16. Carmody, T. 1989. Affect regulation, nicotine addiction and smoking cessation. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 27 (3): 331 -342.
17. Chassin, L., Presson, C., Sherman, S., and Fdwards, D. 1992. Parent educational attainment and adolescent cigarette smoking. Journal of Substance Abuse, 4(3):219-234.
18. Chesler, M. and Barbarin, O. 1984. Difficulties of providing help in a crisis: Relationships between parents of children with cancer and their friends. Journal of Social Issues, 40(4): 113-134.
19. Clemmey, P. and Nicassio, P. 1997. Illness self-schemas in depressed and nondepressed rheumatoid arthritis patients. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 20(3):273-289.
20. Cole, R. and Reiss, D. 1993. How do families cope with illness? Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
21. Crisp, J., Lingerer, J., and Gondnnw, J. 1996. The impact of experience on children's understanding of illness, journal of Pediatric Psycho logy, 21(1):57-72.
22. Daniels, D., Moo, R., Billings, A., and Miller, J. 1987. Psychosocial risk and resistance factors among children with chronic illness, healthy siblings and healthy controls. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 25(2): 295-308.
23. DeVet, K. and Ireys, H. 1998. Psychometric properties of the maternal worry scale tor children with chronic illness. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 23(4):257-266.
24. Doherty, W., Schrott, H., Metcalf, L., and Iasiello-Vailas, L. 1983. Effect of spouse support and health beliefs on medication adherence. Journal of Family Practice, 77(5):837-841.
25. Drotar, D. 1992. Integrating theory and practice in psychological intervention with families of children with chronic illness. In Akamatsu, T. J., Stephens, M, Hobfall, S., and Crowlher, J. (Eds.), Family health psychology (pp, 175-192), Washington, DC: Hemisphere.
26. Drolar, D. 1997. Relating parent and family functioning to the psychological adjustment of children with chronic health conditions: What have we learned? What do we need to know? Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22(2): 149-165.
27. Dusenbury, L., Kerner, J., and Baker, E, 1992, Predictors of smoking prevalence among New York Latino youth. American Journal of Public Health, 82:55-58.
28. Eiser, J., Morgan, M., Gammage, P., and Gray E. 1989, Adolescent smoking: Attitudes, norms and parental influence. British Journal of Social Psychology, 28(pt. 3): 193-202.
29. Engstrom, I. 1991. Parental distress and social interaction in families with children with inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 30(6):904-912.
30. Fiese, B. 1997. Family context in pediatric psychology from a transactional perspective: Family rituals and stories as examples. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22(2): 183-196.
31. Fischer, L., Heinrich, R., Davis, T., Peek, C., and Lucas, S. 1997. Mental health and primary care in an HMO. Family Systems and Health, 1(4):379-391.
32. Freedson, P. and Evenson, S. 1992. Familial aggregation in physical activity. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 62: 384-389.
33. Goldberg, S., Janus, M., Washington, J., Simmons, R., MacEusky, L., and Fowler, R. 1997. Prediction of preschool behavioral problems in healthy and pediatric samples. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 18(5): 304-313.
34. Gonzales, S., Steinglass, P., and Reiss, D. 1989. Putting the illness in its place: Discussion groups for families with chronic medical illnesses. Family Process, 28(1): 69-87.
35. Gorlman, S., Walker, D., Weitzman, M., and Sobol, A. 1990. Chronic conditions, socioeconomic risks, and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 85(3):267-276.
36. Gustalsson, P., Bjorkslen, B., and Kjellman, N. 1994. Family dysfunction in asthma: A prospective study of illness development. Journal of Pediatrics, 125(3):493-498.
37. Hamlett, K., Pellegrini, D., and Katz, K. 1992. Childhood chronic illness as a family stressor. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 17(1):33-47.
38. Harvey, D., Curry, C., and Bray, J. 1991. Individuation and intimacy in intergenerational relationships and health: Patterns across two general ions. Journal of Family Psychology, 5(2):204-236.
39. Hauenstein, E. 1990. The experience of distress in parents of chronically ill children: Potential or likely outcome? journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 19(4):356-364.
40. Holden, E., Chmielewski, D., Nelson, C., Kager, V., and Foltz, L. 1997. Controlling for general and disease-specific effects in child and family adjustment to chronic childhood illness. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22(1): 15-27.
41. Holmbeek, G., Gorey-Ferguson, L., Hudson, T., Seefeldt, T., Shapera, W., Turner, T., and Uhler, J. 1997. Maternal, paternal and marital functioning in familes of preadolescents with spina bifida. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22:167-181.
42. levers, G. and Drotar, D. 1996, Family and parental functioning in cystic fibrosis. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 77(1):48-55.
43. Institute for Health and Disability Newsletter. 1998. 5(1). http://www.peds.umn.edu/centers/inh/.
44. Ireys, H. and Silver, F. 1996, Perception of the impact of a child's chronic illness: Does it predict maternal mental health? Journal of Developmental and Behavior a Pediatrics, 77(2):77-83.
45. Ireys, H., Werthamer-Larsson, T., Kolodner, K., and Gross, S. 1994, Mental health of young adults with chronic illness: The mediating effect of perceived impact. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 19(2):205-222.
46. Kager, V. and Holden, F. 1992. Preliminary investigation of the direct and moderating effects of family and individual variables on the adjustment of children and adolescents with diabetes. J owned of Pediatric Psychology, 17(4):491-502.
47. Kazak, A. 1997. A contextual family/systems approach to pediatric psychology: Introduction to the special issue on families. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22(2): 141-148.
48. Kiecolt-Glaser, J., Fisher, L., and Ogrocki, P. 1987. Marital quality, marital disruption and immune function. Psychosomatic Medicine, 49(1): 13-34.
49. Kiecolt-Glaser, J., Kennedy, S., and Malkoff, S. 1988. Marital discord and immunity in males. Psychosomatic Medicine, 50(3):213-229.
50. Klesges, R., Meyers, A., Winders, S., and French, S. 1989, Determining the reasons for weight gain following smoking cessation: Current findings, methodological issues, and futue directions for research. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 11(4): 134-143.
51. Klonoff, E., and Landrine, H. 1993. Cognitive representations of bodily parts and products: Implications for health behavior. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 16(5): 497-508.
52. Klonoff, E., and Landrine, H. 1994. Culture and gender diversity in commonsense beliefs about the causes of six illnesses. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 17(4): 407-417.
53. Lavignc, J. and Faier-Routman, J. 1992. Psychological adjustment to pediatric physical disorders: A meta-ana lytic review. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 17(2): 133-157.
54. Lavigne, J. and Faier-Routman, J. 1993. Correlates of psychological adjustment to pediatric physical disorders: A mela-analytic review and comparison with existing models. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 74(2): 117-123.
55. Lazarus, R. and Folk man, S. 1984, Stress, appraisal and coping. New York: Springer.
56. McCubbin, H., McCubbin, M., and Patterson, J. 1983. CHIP—Coping health inventory for parents: An assessment of parental coping patterns in the care of the chronically ill child. Journal of Marriage and the family, 45(2): 359-370.
57. McDaniel, S. Campbell, T., and Seaburn, D. 1993. Principles in collaboration between health and mental health providers in primary care, family Systems Medicine, 73(3-4):283-298.
58. McDaniel, S., Hepworlh, J., and Doherty, W. 1992. Medical family therapy. New York: Harper Collins.
59. McGoldrick, M., Giordano, J., and Pearce, J. 1996. Ethnicity and family therapy. New York: Guilford Press.
60. McHalc, S. and Pawletko, T. 1992. Differential treatment of siblings in two family contexts. Child Development, 63(1):68-81.
61. McKenzie, T., Sallis, J., Nader, P., Broyles, S., and Nelson, H, 1992. Anglo and Mexican American preschoolers at home and at recess: Activity patterns and environmental influences. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 13(3):173-180.
62. McMahon, M., Miller, P., Wikoff, R., Garret, M., and Ringel, K. 1986. Life situations, health beliefs and medical regimen adherence of patients with myocardial infarction. Heart and Lung, 15(l):8-85.
63. Mengel, M., Lawler, M., and Volk, R. 1992. Parental stress response within a family context: Association with diabetic control in adolescents with IDDM. family Systems Medicine, 10(4): 395-404.
64. Millar, W. and Hunter, L. 1990. Relationship between socioeconomic status and household smoking patterns in Canada. American Journal of Health Promotion, 5(1, September-October):36-43.
65. Miller, B. 1995. Promoting healthy function and development in chronically ill children: A primary care approach, family Systems Medicine, 13(2): 187-200.
66. Miller, P., Wikoff, R., and McMahan, M. 1989. Personal adjustments and regimen compliance one year after myocardial infarction. Heart and Lung, 18(4):339-345.
67. Minuchin, S., Baker, L., and Rostuan, B. 1975. A conceptual model of psychosomatic illness in children: Family organization and family therapy. Archives of General Psychiatry, 32(8):1031-1038.
68. Moore, L., Lombardi, D., and White, M. 1991. Influence of parents’ physical activity levels on activity levels of young children, Journal of Pediatrics, 778(2):215-219.
69. Mrazek, D. and Klinnert, M. 1991. Early identification of asthma subtypes. Psychosomatic Medicine. 53(5): 233.
70. Parker, M. 1996. Families caring for chronically ill children with tuberous sclerosis complex, family and Community Health, 19(3):73-84.
71. Patterson, J., Budd, J., Goetz, D., and Warwick, W. 1993. Family correlates of a ten-year pulmonary health trend in cystic fibrosis. Pediatrics, 91 (2):383-389.
72. Patterson, J., anti Garwick, A. 1994. The impact of chronic illness on families: A family systems perspective. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 16(2): 131-142.
73. Patterson, J. and Garwick, A. 1998. Theoretical linkages: Family meanings and a sense of coherence. In McCubbin, H, and Thompson, A. (Eds.), Stress, coping, and health in families: Sense of coherence and resiliency (pp. 71-89), Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
74. Patterson, J., Garwick, A., Bennett, K. and Blum, R. 1997. Social support in families of children with chronic conditions: Supportive and nonsupportive behaviors. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 18(6):383-391.
75. Patterson, J. and Lonard, B. 1994. Caregiving and children. In Kahana E., Bie-gel, D., and Wykel, M. (Eds.), Family caregiving across the lifespan(pp. 133-158). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
76. Patterson, J., McCubbin, H., and Warwick, W. 1990. The impact of family functioning on health changes in children with cystic fibrosis. Social Science and Medicine, 37(2): 159-164.
77. Pearlin, L. 1989. The sociological study of stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 30(3): 241-256.
78. Pearlin, L., Mullan, J., Semple, S., and Skaff, M. 1990. Caregiving and the stress process: An overview of concepts and their measures. Gerontologist, 30(5): 583-594.
79. Perrin, E., Ayoub, C., and Willett, J. 1993. In the eyes of the beholder: Family and maternal influences on perceptions of adjustment of children with a chronic illness. Journal of Developmental und Behavioral Pediatrics, 14(2):94-105.
80. Peshkin, M. 1930. Asthma in children: IX. Role of environment in the treatment of a selected group of cases: A plea for a “home�? as a restorative measure. American Journal of Diseases of Children, 39(2):744-779.
81. Pianta, R. and Marvin, S. 1992. The reaction to diagnosis interview. Unpublished materials, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
82. Pless, L. and Nolan, T. 1989. Risks for maladjustment associated with chronic illness in adolescence and childhood. In Shaffer, IX, Philips, I., and Fnzer, N. (Eds.), Prevention of mental disorders, abuse of alcohol and other drug use in children and adolescents (pp. 191-224). Rockville, MD: Office for Substance Abuse Prevention,.
83. Quittner, A., Espelage, D., Opipari, L., Carter B., Bid, N., and Figen, H, 1998. Role strain in couples with and without a child with chronic illness: Associations with marital satisfaction, intimacy, and daily mood. Health Psychology, 77(2): 112-124.
84. Quittner, A. and Opipari, L. 1994. Differential treatment of siblings: Interview and diary analyses comparing two family contexts. Child Development, 65(3): 800-814.
85. Quillner, A., Opipari, L., Michel, M., and Eigen, H. 1992. Parental response to CF: A contextual analysis of the diagnosis phase. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 17(6):683-704.
86. Quittner, A., Opipari, L, Regoli, M., Jacohsen, J., and Eigen, H. 1992. The impact of caregiving and role strain on family life. Comparisons between mothers with CF children and matched controls. Rehabilitation Psychology, 37(4):289-304.
87. Quittner, A., Tolbert, L., Regoli, M., Orenslein, D., Hollingsworth, J., and Eigen, H. 1996. Development of the role-play inventory of situations and coping strategies for parents of children with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Pediatric: Psychology, 21(2):209-235.
88. Reiss, D. 1989. The practicing and representing family. In Ameroff, A.J. and Enide, R. (Eds.). Relationship disturbances in early childhood (pp. 191-220). New York: Basic Books.
89. Reiss, D., Steinglass, R, and Howe, G. 1993. The family's organization around the illness. In Cole, R. and Reiss, D. (Eds.), How do families cope with chronic illness? (pp. 173-213). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
90. Roberts, M, and Wallander, J. 1992, Family issues in pediatric psychology: An overview. In Roberts, M. and Wallander, J. (Eds.), family issues in pediatric psychology (pp. 5-10). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
91. Rolland, J. 1984. Toward a psychosocial typology of chronic and life-threatening illness, family Systems Medicine, 2(3):245-263.
92. Rolland, J. 1993. Mastering family challenges in serious illness and disability. In Walsh, F. (ed.), Normal family processes. Second edition (pp. 444-473). New' York: Guilford.
93. Rolland, J. 1994. families, illness and disability: An integrative treatment model. New York: Basic Books.
94. Rolland, J. 1998. Beliefs and collaboration in illness: Evolution over time, families, Systems and Health, 16(1-2): 7-25.
95. Sehiaftino, K., Shawaryn, M., and Blum, D. 1998. Examining the impact of illness representations on psychological adjustment to chronic illnesses. Health Psychology, 17(3):262-268.
96. Sehilson, E., Braun, K., and Hudson, A, 1993. Use of genograms in family medicine: A family physician/family therapist collaboration, family Systems Medicine, 11(2):201-208.
97. Sheeran, T., Marvin, R, and pianta, R. 1997. Mother's resolution of their child’s diagnosis and self-reported measures of parenting stress, marital relations, and social support. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22(2): 197-212.
98. Sherman, R., Oresky, R, and Rountree, Y. 1991. Solving problems in couples and family therapy. New York: Bmnner/Mazel.
99. Silver, E., Bauman, L., and Ireys, H. 1995. Relationships of self-esteem and effieacy to psychological distress in mothers of children with chronic physical illnesses. Health Psychology, 14(4): 1-8.
100. Silver, E., Westbrook, L., and Stein, R. 1998. Relationship of parental psychological distress to consequences of chronic health conditions in children. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 23(1):5-15.
101. Simms, S. 1995. A protocol for seriously ill children with severe psychosocial symptoms: Avoiding potential disasters. Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, 13(2):245-257.
102. Stein, M, 1997. The use of family drawings by children in pediatric practice. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 18(5):334-339.
103. Stein, R., Bauman, L., Westbrook, L., Coupey, S., and Ireys, H. 1993. Framework for identifying children who have chronic conditions: The case for a new definition. Journal of Pediatrics, 122(3):342-347.
104. Stein, R. and Jessop, D. 1985. Tables documenting the psychometric properties of a measure of the impact of chronic illness on a family. Bronx, NY: Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, Report available from Dr. Ruth Stein, Jacobi Medical Center, Room 817, Pelham Parkway and Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461.
105. Stein, R. and Riessman, C. 1980. The development of an impact on family scale: Preliminary findings. Medical Cure, 18(1): 465-472.
106. Stein, R., Westbrook, L., and Bauman, L. 1997. The questionnaire for identifying children with chronic conditions (QulCCC):A measure based on a noncategorical approach. Pediatrics, 99(4):513-521.
107. Steinglass, P. 1998. Multiple family discussion groups for patients with chronic medical illness. Families, Systems & Health, 16(1-2):55-70.
108. Tayor, C., Bandura, A., Ewart, C, Miller, N., and DeBusk, R. 1985, Exercise testing to enhance wives’ confidence in their husband’s cardiac capacity soon after uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction. American Journal of Cardiology, 55(6): 635-638.
109. Thompson, R., Gil, K., Gustafson, K., George, L., Keith, B., Spock, A., and Kinney, T. 1994. Stability and change in the psychological adjustment of mothers of children and adolescents with cystic llbrosls and sickle cell disease. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 19(2): 171-188.
110. Timko, C., Stovel, K., and Moos, R. 1992. Functioning among mothers and fathers of children with juvenile rheumatic disease: A longitudinal study. journal Pediatric Psychology, 17(6): 705 -724.
111. Trilt, S, and Esses, E. 1988. Psychosocial adaptation of siblings of children with chronic medical illness. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 58(2): 211 -220.
112. Varni, J. and Setoguchi, Y. 1991. Correlates of perceived physical appearance in children with conge nital/acqui red limb deficiencies. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 12(3):171-176.
113. Varni, J., Wilcox, K., and Hanson, V. 1988. Mediating effects of family social support on child psychological adjustment in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Health Psychology, 7(5):421 -431.
114. Wachtel, E. 1982. The family psyche over three generations: The genogram revisited. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 8(3):335-343.
115. Walker, L., and Preski, S. 1995. Are maternal health behaviors related to preschool children’s adjustment? A preliminary report. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 16(5):345-349.
116. Wallander, J. and Thompson, R. 1995. Psychosocial adjustment of children with chronic physical conditions. In Roberts, M. (Ed.), Handbook of pediatric psychology (pp. 124-141). New York: Guilford.
117. Wallander, J. and Vami, J. 1989. Social support and adjustment in chronically ill and handicapped children. American Journal of Community Psychology, 17(2): 185-201.
118. Wamboldt, M, and Levin, I., 1995. Utility of multifamily psyehoeducalional groups for medically ill children and adolescents. Family Systems Medicine, 13(2):151-161.
119. Wamboldt, M., Weintraub, P., Krafchick, D., Berce, N., and Wamboldt, F. 1995. Links between parental trauma and the medical and psychological outcome of asthmatic children. Family Systems Medicine, 13(2): 129-149.
120. Watson, S., Henggeler, S., and Whelan, J, 1990. Family functioning and the social adaptation of hearing-impaired youths. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 73:143-163.
121. Weinstein, A., Faust, D., McKee, L., and Padman, R. 1992. Outcomes and short term hospitalization for children with severe asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 99:66-75.
122. Wood, B. 1994. A developmental blobehavioral systems approach to the treatment of chronic illness in children. In Mikesell, R., Lusterman, D., and McDaniel, S. (Eds.), Family psychology and systems therapy: A handbook(pp. 50-69). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
123. Wynne, L., Shields, C., and Sirkin, M. 1992. Illness, family theory and family therapy: I. Conceptual issues. Family Process, 37:3-18.
124. Appleton, M. and Henschell, T. 1995. At home with terminal illness: A family guide to hospice in the home, Tingle wood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall Career and Technology.
125. Atkinson, J.M. 1995. Families coping with schizophrenia: A practitioner's guide to family groups. Chichester, NY: John Wiley and Sons.
126. Gustafson, K.E, and Thompson, R.J. 1996. Adaptation to chronic childhood illness. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
127. Miklowitz, D.J. and Goldstein, M.J. 1997. Bipolar disorder: A family-focused treatment approach. New York: Guilford Press.
128. Wright, T.M., Bell, J., and Watson, W. 1996, Beliefs: The heart of healing in families and illness. New York: Basic Books.
129. Lorenzo’s Oil. 1992. Directed by George Miller. There is no more compelling story about how extraordinary parents can resourcefully deal with illness in the family. It is a film all parents can learn from.
130. Shine. 1996. Directed by Scotl Hicks. Another true story about bow supportive parents, faced with a "'different�? child, capitalize on the child’s strengths and make life better for all.