title: A rationale for family therapy specialization in early intervention.
abstract: Over the past two decades, professionals providing intervention to families with children with disabilities have witnessed a philosophical shift from individually oriented care to family-centered care. Although the relevance of family therapy to these families has been formally acknowledged through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the integration of the fields of family therapy and developmental disabilities has not yet occurred to any significant degree. Awareness of critical issues associated with developmental disabilities and the potential impact on the family system is vital to the process of family-centered intervention. In this paper we address the need for family specialists to become knowledgeable about early intervention considerations relevant to young children with disabilities and their families.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Family Development, University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Manders
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D013038:Specialization