Stress and Coping in Families of Learning Disabled Children

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to review recent literature on families of learning disabled children. Having a handicapped child is stressful to a family, but the family whose child has a hidden handicap experiences special problems. The literature on families with physically handicapped and retarded children is first explored as a basis for the more contemporary work done on the LD child's effect on the total family. The literature describing parental reactions to the diagnosis of learning disabilities and the problems inherent in living with these children is discussed, as well as the children's reactions.