2007 iParenting Media, Excellent Products Award

At last, a guide that speaks to parents about how to work on marital issues while juggling the demands of raising a child with a developmental disability, serious medical condition, or mental illness. In writing this practical, empathetic guide, the authors draw on their combined professional experience in marital counseling and parent training, as well as on the experience and advice of hundreds of parents of children with special needs.

Married with Special-Needs Children looks at the ways in which having a child with special needs can make it more difficult for a marriage to thrive and how a child's intensive needs can change the structure of a marriage. The authors examine many of the underlying stresses and common pitfalls -a couple's differing coping mechanisms and expectations of a child, communication breakdowns and difficulties resolving conflicts, for example. They then present a wide range of strategies for handling or preventing these problems. Marshak and Prezant also describe what makes a marriage strong, such as continuing to share connections outside of parenting roles, keeping a sense of autonomy, and sharing childcare responsibilities. Parents get advice about the importance of romance and intimacy and the benefits of finding time for each other even when they feel too tired or overwhelmed. In addition, the book deals with serious marital troubles and divorce considerations. Throughout are quotes from husbands and wives, offering special insight into what was especially difficult for them, what solutions they've discovered, and what they wished they'd done differently.

For parents looking for ways to strengthen their marriage, prevent future strife, or resolve or move on from significant relationship difficulties, this guide offers guidance and expertise for taking the next step. Married with Special-Needs Children is also invaluable to mental health professionals, giving them a realistic view of what many of their clients are dealing with on a day-to-day basis.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

In addition to raising three children, Laura E. Marshak, Ph.D., is a professor of counseling at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She also maintains a private psychology practice and sees many parents of children with disabilities. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Fran P. Prezant, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, is a nationally certified speech and language pathologist, parent trainer, and researcher on disability issues. Currently she is Director of Research and Evaluation at Abilities! (formerly National Center for Disability Services), a non-profit organization dedicated to the full participation of people with disabilities in society. She lives with her husband and two adult children in West Orange, New Jersey.

Both authors have written extensively on disabilities issues and co-authored Disability and the Family Lifecycle (Basic Books).