Bringing up a child with developmental disabilities can present a range of challenges for parents. This book aims to provide a source of support for parents dealing with the everyday realities of bringing up children with developmental disabilities, especially autism. Drawing on the author’s experiences of working with families of children with autism; the book provides an insight into the issues that affect family life. With heartfelt contributions from young people on the autism spectrum and family case studies, the book confirms the importance of the parents’ role in the lives of their children. Designed as a collaborative companion that grows as the parenting journey continues, it deals with some of the topics that often arise in the parenting process such as making important decisions on behalf of the child and dealing with behavioural difficulties. The book provides a deeper understanding of the issues that families face and gives parents much needed support, encouragement and practical help. This book will be invaluable reading for parents of children with developmental disabilities, and will allow care providers to understand more profoundly the everyday challenges families endure.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Empowering, hard-hitting, honest. Letters to the Home Front offers parents bringing up children with developmental/intellectual disabilities invaluable insights, practical strategies- a wealth of information and wisdom. The author John Clements also puts forward a down to earth and realistic view of the situations many families and individuals find themselves in and with regard to accessing and receiving services from multi-disciplinary providers. Truly a book to reflect on from a multi-dimensional perspective. — Sue Telkamp, mother of a young man diagnosed with ASD
John Clements has been a very popular and successful professional who has helped parents and caregivers over the past four decades to better understand and remediate behavioral challenges in children with ASD. This book presents a helpful, interesting and easy to read summary of this work. The format involving a series of letters between him and various constituents makes for fascinating reading and adds a note of reality. This is a pragmatic book that parents and professionals will enjoy reading and greatly appreciate because it fills many of the gaps in our understanding of ASD and how to work more successfully with these individuals on day-to-day concerns in the home, the classroom, and the community. — Dr Gary Mesibov, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of North Carolina
In this extremely accessible book, John Clements draws on his extensive knowledge of the problems that families of children with autism and other conditions may face, to offer much needed advice. In “user-friendly” letters, he neither preaches nor judges, but discusses in un-sensationalist terms just what those problems may involve and some of the ways that they may be tackled. His compassion and empathy are clearly evident in his approach, and, although he makes it clear that there are no magic answers, I feel sure that many families will find his words very comforting and of immense practical help. — Jane Asher, President of the National Autistic Society
Book Description
A practical and compassionate book that explores a range of issues around bringing up a child with developmental disabilities from the parent’s point of view
About the Author
John Clements is a clinical psychologist of over forty years’ standing, specializing in the field of developmental disabilities. He has previously worked for the NHS and university system in the UK and jointly established the UK’s first independent psychology practice specializing in issues for people with developmental disabilities. He has also worked as a behavior consultant in California, taking a particular interest in helping people with autism and their families.
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