Revision of papers presented at the Eloisa de Lorenzo Symposium on Family Quality of Life, held July 30-Aug. 1, 2000, in Seattle, Wash.

Traditional pathology models do not provide a satisfactory framework for professional practice with families of people with mental retardation. Families and Mental Retardation is written from the perspective of a competence paradigm for professional practice, which offers a constructive alternative to the more prevalent pathology models of the past. The goal of professional practice is to empower families in coping with the catastrophic stressor of mental retardation. Such an approach recognizes the strengths and resources of families, which have often been minimized in the past, and fosters new collaborative modes of family-professional relationships. Unique features include a consideration of life-span and family system and subsystem perspectives, as well as the inclusion of powerful personal accounts of family members. The volume is likely to be of special value to mental health and health care professionals, who often receive little training in mental retardation or family-professional relations, and who tend to apply a pathology model. In contrast, a competence paradigm is more prevalent in education.

This Innovations title outlines key principles relevant to a family-centered approach to mental retardation and identifies four components to a family-centered practice.

International Review of Research in Mental Retardation is an ongoing scholarly look at research into the causes, effects, classification systems, syndromes, etc. of mental retardation. Contributors come from wide-ranging perspectives, including genetics, psychology, education, and other health and behavioral sciences. Volume 22 is an eclectic volume with chapters on genetics, developmental skills, and methodological issues, as well as review chapters on the Savant Syndrome, and supported employment programs. Contributors for this volume are from the U.S., U.K., and Australia.

Part of the authoritative four-volume reference that spans the entire field of child development and has set the standard against which all other scholarly references are compared. Updated and revised to reflect the new developments in the field, the Handbook of Child Psychology, Sixth Edition contains new chapters on such topics as spirituality, social understanding, and non-verbal communication. Volume 4: Child Psychology in Practice, edited by K. Ann Renninger, Swarthmore College, and Irving E. Sigel, Educational Testing Service, covers child psychology in clinical and educational practice. New topics addressed include educational assessment and evaluation, character education, learning disabilities, mental retardation, media and popular culture, children's health and parenting.

According to Edward Shorter, just forty years ago the institutions housing people with mental retardation (MR) had become a national scandal. The mentally retarded who lived at home were largely isolated and a source of family shame. Although some social stigma still attaches to the people with developmental disabilities (a range of conditions including what until recently was called mental retardation), they now actively participate in our society and are entitled by law to educational, social, and medical services. The immense improvement in their daily lives and life chances came about in no small part because affected families mobilized for change but also because the Kennedy family made mental retardation its single great cause. Long a generous benefactor of MR-related organizations, Joseph P. Kennedy made MR the special charitable interest of the family foundation he set up in the 1950s. Although he gave all of his children official roles, he involved his daughter Eunice in performing its actual work--identifying appropriate recipients of awards and organizing the foundation's activities. With unique access to family and foundation papers, Shorter brings to light the Kennedy family's strong commitment to public service, showing that Rose and Joe taught their children by precept and example that their wealth and status obligated them to perform good works. Their parents expected each of them to apply their considerable energies to making a difference. Eunice Kennedy Shriver took up that charge and focused her organizational and rhetorical talents on putting MR on the federal policy agenda. As a sister of the President of the United States, she had access to the most powerful people in the country and drew their attention to the desperate situation of families affected by mental retardation. Her efforts made an enormous difference, resulting in unprecedented public attention to MR and new approaches to coordinating medical and social services. Along with her husband, R. Sargent Shriver, she made the Special Olympics a international, annual event in order to encourage people with mental retardation to develop their skills and discover the joy of achievement. She emerges from these pages as a remarkable and dedicated advocate for people with developmental disabilities. Shorter's account of mental retardation presents an unfamiliar view of the Kennedy family and adds a significant chapter to the history of disability in this country. Author note: Edward Shorter is a Professor at the University of Toronto where he holds the Hannah Chair in the History of Medicine. He is the author of A History of Psychiatry from the Era of the Asylum to the Age of Prozac, as well as many other books in the fields of history and medicine.

The Practical Guide to The Genetic Family History Robin L. Bennett Compiling the most recent genetic developments in medical specialties, The Practical Guide to the Genetic Family History is a valuable resource which outlines the proper methods for taking and recording a patient's family medical history, allowing primary care physicians to be more efficient in diagnosing conditions with potential genetic components. With genetic screening forms, an overview of directed questions, pedigree nomenclature, and outlining common approaches used, genetic counselor Robin L. Bennett provides readers with the basic foundation in human genetics necessary to recognize inherited disorders and familial disease susceptibility in patients. As the only guide which is geared for the physician in this field, The Practical Guide to the Genetic Family History includes remarks by renowned medical geneticist Arno Motulsky, as well as information on structuring an accurate pedigree and its components, including: * Using a pedigree to identify individuals with an increased susceptibility to cancer * Family history, adoption, and their challenges * The connection between the pedigree and assisted reproductive technologies * Making referrals for genetic services * Neurological and neuromuscular conditions * Tables covering hearing loss, mental retardation, dementia, and seizures * Five case studies of genetics in practice An essential reference for genetics clinics, medical geneticists, and counselors, The Practical Guide to the Genetic Family History is also an invaluable aid for both primary care and specialist physicians who need an up-to-date reference that emphasizes both the science and art of modern clinical genetics.

In the 16 years since the publication of the second edition of this volume, psychological theory and research in mental retardation has continued to expand and extend scientific, theoretical, and clinical understanding of this most complex and challenging human condition. Explicit effort has been made to translate theory and research into useful and efficacious assessment, intervention, prevention, and policy actions. This third edition provides an opportunity to critique major conceptual developments and empirical research in an effort to stimulate further behavioral research of practical, social importance. The Handbook presents work by prominent contributors to a major scientific endeavor that has grown dramatically during the last three decades. The challenge for each author was to identify important theoretical and empirical issues, provide a critical, selective review of exemplary research, and discuss the questions that remain unanswered in each area. In short, the goal for this third edition was to consolidate the knowledge gained during the past 30 years and to present a blueprint for future research in mental retardation, the broader field of learning disabilities, and other developmental disorders such as autism. Providing totally different coverage and direction from the previous edition, this text fills a crucial instructional need in graduate courses related to the psychology of mental retardation. With its emphasis on psychological research and theory, it offers an important alternative to many available texts that primarily emphasize the application of research.

“...should be welcomed by all those who work in the field of Family Law...an 'off the shelf' comprehensive resource...the focus throughout is on helping the reader, not only to understand all relevant aspects of mental illness, but also to understand how that knowledge may impact upon any particular court case...Its publication is therefore most welcome and I predict that it will soon become a recognisable presence on the bookshelves of many.” The Rt Hon Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division Mental Disorders, Mental Illness and the Family Court provides information on more than 70 mental health conditions found in children, young people and adults. It is designed specifically for non-medical professionals who practise in public and private work in the Family Court, and advises on what adjustments need to be considered for those appearing in court who are suffering with a mental disorder. It provides: Clear descriptions of the nature of each mental disorder, as well as their treatment and management, with links to further information and specialist help Explanations of how mental disorders and illness can impact on family dynamics and relationships Case studies that illustrate real-life scenarios In addressing the legal framework of the Family Court, the authors look at the crossover between the Children Act 1989 and the Mental Health Act 1983 in how they relate to children and young people, and show how reports and assessments that are produced for the Family Court fit into this. This is an essential title for all those who work within the Family Court jurisdiction from judges, magistrates and family lawyers to Cafcass officers, social workers and CAMHS multi-disciplinary teams. It will also provide useful insights for parents, carers and guardians involved with the Family Court.

We know considerably more about persons with intellectual disability than we did even a decade ago. Seeking to improve and increase upon this knowledge, this book provides a map to continue sophisticated and precise research, to inspire professionals involved with intellectual disability, and to better the lives of persons affected by it.