Disability Across the Developmental Lifespan: An Introduction for the Helping Professions

by Julie Smart PhD

Overview

This is the only text to examine the experience of disability in relation to theories of human growth and development. It provides a foundational and comprehensive examination of disability that encompasses the intellectual, psychiatric, physical, and social arenas. The second edition is updated to underscore its versatility as an introductory text about the developmental tasks of people with disabilities for all the helping professions. Reorganized to illuminate the book’s interdisciplinary focus, it includes new demographics, new case studies and first-person accounts, discussions on cultural aspects of disabilities, family concerns, and more.

The text delivers practice guidelines for each of the conventional life stages and describes the developmental tasks of individuals with disabilities (IWDs). It emphasizes the positive trend in the perception of IWDs as normal and underscores the fact that IWDs have the same motivations, emotions, and goals as those without disabilities. Learning activities, suggestions for writing exercises, and websites for further study reinforce learning, as do graphs and charts illustrating trends and demographics.

NEW TO THE SECOND EDITION:
• Introductory chapter on understanding disability
• Demographic updates throughout
• New case studies and first-person accounts
• Expanded discussions about cultural considerations, intersectionality, and family considerations
• Updated Instructor’s Manual and an Instructor’s Test Bank

KEY FEATURES:
• Examines the conventional stages of human growth and development from the perspective of individuals with disabilities
• Integrates disability concepts with developmental theories and stages of the lifespan
• Addresses common ethical issues to illuminate the real-world implications faced by individuals with disabilities and their families
• Includes learning activities, suggestions for writing exercises, and websites for further study
• Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826139238
Publisher:	Springer Publishing Company
Publication date:	12/01/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	450
File size:	9 MB

About the Author

Julie Smart, PhD, was on the faculty at Utah State for 24 years, teaching in a graduate Rehabilitation Counseling program.

Table of Contents

Preface

Disability and Developmental Stages: Introduction

PART I. DISABILITY AND DEMOGRAPHICS

1. Understanding Disability

2. Basic Principles of Developmental Theories and Demographic Changes

3. Major Demographic Changes and Ways in Which Disabilities Interact With Stages of Development

PART II. THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES

4. Pregnancy and Infancy

5. Toddlerhood and Early Childhood: Ages 18 Months to 5 Years

6. School Age: Ages 5 to 12 Years

7. Adolescence (Ages 13 to 18) and Emerging Adulthood (Ages 19 to 25)

8. Adulthood Ages (25 to 40) and Midlife (Ages 40 to 60)

9. The Young Elderly (Ages 60 to 75) and the Old Elderly (Ages 75 Until Death), and the Longevity Revolution or the Silver Tsunami

PART III. ACQUISITION OF A DISABILITY AS A SOCIALLY SANCTIONED DEVELOPMENTAL TASK

10. Connecting the Dots: Acquisition of a Disability as a Socially Sanctioned and Supported Developmental Task

Electronic Resources

Appendix: Additional Readings

Indexii

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Gary B Kaniuk, PsyD (Cermak Health Services)
Description: This book describes disability in relation to various theories of development. It traces development across the lifespan (infancy through old elderly). The first edition was published in 2011.
Purpose: The purpose is "to examine the experience of disability in relation to theories of human growth and development." The book provides "a foundational and comprehensive examination of disability that encompasses the intellectual, psychiatric, physical, and social arenas." Presenting the material in print and online format adds portability and searchability.
Audience: As the subtitle states, this is "an introduction for the helping professions." Graduate students in clinical psychology and social work would benefit greatly from this book as well. The author, who was a faculty member at Utah State University for 24 years, has received an award from the National Council on Rehabilitation Education.
Features: After an introduction to disability and developmental stages, the book notes that it is not easy for families to accept a disability in one member, especially when it occurs during early childhood. Individuals often see their lives in two parts: before disability and after disability. In addition, people without disabilities have difficulty understanding people with disabilities, especially in terms of the specific disability and the person themselves. The author discusses three factors that highlight individuals with disabilities in American culture: the numbers of individuals with disabilities is increasing; the goal of moving away from stigmas to a positive political movement; and the media helping to provide a more realistic view of disabled people. The second part of the book discusses the various developmental stages from infancy to old elderly. For example, in school-age children, the developmental tasks are finding role models, dealing with stigma, interacting with other children, using assistive technology, and responding to atypical experiences. For the elderly, developmental tasks include balancing losses and gains, exploring growth possibilities, deciding how to use increased free time, and defining success during this age period. The book ends with a description of disability as a socially sanctioned developmental task and the importance of governmental intervention to provide needed support. The book is very readable with case studies and first-person accounts, which help drive home important concepts. The chapters are uniformly organized with an abstract, introduction, text, conclusion, key terms, videos to view, learning activities, writing exercises, website resources, and references.
Assessment: This excellent book explores the topic of disability in a comprehensive way. It looks at various developmental theories and describes developmental stages across the lifespan. The case studies and first-person accounts help provide great enlightenment. The second edition is justified because of the new case studies, demographic updates, expanded cultural considerations, and the updated instructor manual and test bank.

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