Deck 4: Parents and Families

Question 1

Siblings of a child with an exceptionality are likely to

A)have the opposite reaction as their parents.
B)deny that their sibling with an exceptionality is different.
C)seek out information from others about the exceptionality.
D)have a more difficult time coping with their feelings than their parents.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The family systems approach emphasizes

A)interrelationships among the family and other social systems.
B)the effects of the environment on the family.
C)quality of interactions between parents and professionals.
D)need for ongoing and systematic family intervention.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

In families of a child with an exceptionality,parental stress is usually the result of

A)daily burdens related to child care.
B)the child's medical involvement.
C)demands placed on the family by the school system.
D)catastrophic events.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Each of the following statements about parental adjustment and stress is true EXCEPT

A)There is abundant evidence that parents of children with exceptionality undergo more than the average amount of stress.
B)There appears to be a trend toward fathers and mothers experiencing equal amounts of stress.
C)The degree of stress is strongly related to the severity of the child's exceptionality.
D)Parents who were happily married before the birth of a child with an exceptionality have a better chance of coping well with the situation.

Question 5

In dealing with the feelings of a child with an exceptionality,parents should

A)respond honestly to specific questions asked by the child.
B)assure the child that he or she is no different from others and their exceptionality doesn't matter.
C)speak about their exceptionality in general,rather than specific ways.
D)wait until the child is an adolescent so he or she will be better able to understand.

Question 6

Which family member is most likely to experience feelings of guilt regarding a child with an exceptionality?

A)mother
B)father
C)sister
D)brother

Question 7

Tina and Jim have three children,one of whom has an exceptionality.Several professionals work for them,encouraging the family to make its own decisions and get non-professional and formal support.This approach to intervention is consistent with which model?

A)professional-centred
B)family-centred
C)family-focused
D)family-systems

Question 8

According to one survey,what percentage of families reported that one or more family members adjusted their employment situation because of having a child with an exceptionality in the family?

A)about 75%
B)< 20%
C)about 10%
D)> 50%

Question 9

Which one of the following is regarded by some parents as a positive effect of having a child with an exceptionality?

A)entitles the family to financial benefits
B)causes family members to be more tolerant of others
C)reduces parents' concerns about social issues
D)puts an end to unstable marital relationships

Question 10

Families can be of assistance in their child's education in all of the following ways EXCEPT

A)helping teachers determine students' interests.
B)reinforcing directives that teachers give their child.
C)supporting teachers by serving as volunteers in the classroom
D)remaining removed from the classroom to allow for teacher autonomy.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about professional's views of parents is true?

A)Today,professionals believe that early intervention should focus exclusively on the needs of the child.
B)Today,professionals believe that early intervention should focus on training parents to work as quasi-therapists or teachers.
C)Today,professionals believe the goal of early intervention should be to develop and preserve the natural parent-child relationship.
D)Involving the family does not improve the effectiveness of teaching.

Question 12

Parents of children with exceptionalities are best able to cope with stress if

A)they receive social support from each other.
B)they never get divorced.
C)they place their child in an institution.
D)they have no other children.

Question 13

When dealing with the public,one of the most difficult things that parents are likely to face is

A)the inappropriate responses of their children to others.
B)the poor report cards they may get from school.
C)the problems that other children in the family will experience because they have a sibling with an exceptionality.
D)inappropriate responses of others to their children with exceptionalities.

Question 14

Teachers can best involve families of children with exceptionalities in class and school activities by

A)sending home annual reports.
B)making sure that homework is completed.
C)asking for contributions to school fundraising efforts.
D)allowing for a variety of communication options.

Question 15

Which one of the following best describes current views on the direction of causation between child and adult behaviour?

A)two-way street: behaviour is reciprocal
B)one-way street: adult behaviour causes child behaviour
C)one-way street: child behaviour causes adult behaviour
D)two-way street: neither one's behaviour causes the other

Question 16

In the not too distant past,many professionals believed that parents were

A)to blame for their child's problems.
B)unwilling to spend time working with their child.
C)unable to work effectively with their child.
D)unable to cope with a child with a exceptionality.

Question 17

The prevalence of feelings of guilt is probably due to

A)the fact that the cause of so many exceptionalities is unknown.
B)parents' knowledge that they caused their child's exceptionality.
C)stranger's stares and comments.
D)the lack of support for families of children with exceptionalities.

Question 18

Factors that influence the adjustment of siblings of children with exceptionalities include all of the following EXCEPT

A)birth order.
B)gender.
C)age differences.
D)socioeconomic status.

Question 19

Stage theories of reaction to having a child with an exceptionality have been questioned for all of the following reasons EXCEPT

A)it is largely a myth that most parents engage in denial.
B)parents do not tend to march through stages in an identical and predictable way.
C)parents are often the first to suspect a problem.
D)the majority of parents do not experience changes in emotions.

Question 20

It is largely a myth that many parents of children with exceptionalities experience

A)anxiety.
B)denial.
C)guilt.
D)anger.

Question 21

The degree to which families are able to change their modes of interaction when they encounter unusual or stressful situations refers to

A)acceptance.
B)cohesion.
C)adaptability.
D)compassion.

Question 22

Which approach considers how the impact of a child with an exceptionality on the family changes over time?

A)family-centred perspective
B)life cycle perspective
C)community systems perspective
D)social support systems model

Question 23

According to the Turnbulls' family systems theory,healthy families have

A)moderate degrees of acceptance and compassion.
B)moderate degrees of cohesion and adaptability.
C)moderate degrees of cohesion and high degrees of adaptability.
D)moderate degrees of acceptance and high degrees of adaptability.

Question 24

In Sam's family,everyone spends their free time independently.Family members seldom eat meals together or plan joint activities.Sam's family has low

A)acceptance.
B)adaptability.
C)cohesion.
D)compassion.

Question 25

A distinctive feature of the social support approach is that it focuses on

A)developing informal sources of support.
B)creating a network of professionals to assist the family.
C)expanding access to social services in the community.
D)changing the community rather than the family.

Question 26

All family system theories assume that

A)there are four interrelated components of family (characteristics,interaction,functions,and life cycle)that must be considered.
B)intensive treatment from professionals,particularly psychological counselling for family members,is most effective.
C)an individual's behaviour can be understood and modified even if the influence of the family on that behaviour is not addressed.
D)the more treatment and education take into account the interactions within a family,the more likely they are to be successful.

Question 27

The Turnbulls' family systems approach includes of all of the following components EXCEPT family

A)interaction.
B)history.
C)functions.
D)life cycle.

Question 28

Issues of family cohesion for adults with exceptionalities include

A)finding the right balance of independence and support.
B)findings ways for the family to always be together.
C)having parents continue to make important decisions on their behalf.
D)making sure that individuals with exceptionalities are given minimal support.

Question 29

To apply positive behavioural support with families,it is best to

A)focus on family activity settings.
B)train parents in a classroom settings.
C)train one parent to take charge of discipline.
D)focus primarily on the behaviours of the child with the exceptionality.

Question 30

Families of a child with an exceptionality tend to experience most stress during

A)infancy to age five.
B)adolescence.
C)transitions.
D)adulthood.

Question 31

The degree to which an individual family member is free to act independently of other family members is

A)acceptance.
B)adaptability.
C)cohesion.
D)compassion.

Question 32

Social support includes each of the following EXCEPT

A)emotional support.
B)formal,professional support.
C)informational support.
D)material aid.

Question 33

Turnbulls' family systems theory suggests that families sometimes prefer passive involvement in educational decision-making because they

A)do not value education for their children.
B)are neglectful.
C)need to attend to other functions.
D)have little to contribute.

Question 34

It is increasingly important to take family characteristics into account because of changes in Canadian society including

A)increasing numbers of same-sex unions.
B)decreasing numbers of children with exceptionalities.
C)increasing numbers of wealthy families.
D)decreasing ethnic diversity.

Question 35

A frequent complaint made by parents about communication with teachers is that

A)they are not notified about meetings until the last minute.
B)teachers interrupt them at work to ask questions about their child's routine.
C)they only hear from school personnel when their child has misbehaved.
D)teachers do not respond promptly to parents' requests for information.

Question 36

In the Turnbulls' family systems approach,family characteristics include each of the following EXCEPT

A)characteristics of the exceptionality.
B)characteristics of the family.
C)characteristics of the environment.
D)characteristics of each family member.

Question 37

The numerous routines in which families engage to meet their many and diverse needs is referred to as

A)family functions.
B)family characteristics.
C)family interactions.
D)family life cycle.

Question 38

Transitions between stages are difficult because

A)the next stage brings on overwhelming challenges.
B)parents aren't ready to give their child added independence.
C)increasingly fewer professionals become involved.
D)each new phase presents uncertainty to the family.

Question 39

It is suggested that social support be integrated with positive behavioural support specifically in the case of children with

A)Down syndrome.
B)emotional or behavioural disorders.
C)learning disabilities.
D)physical disabilities.

Question 40

Each of the following is an example of social support EXCEPT

A)a family's church.
B)a parental support group.
C)a subscription to a exceptionality journal.
D)an internet news group.

Question 41

The feelings that siblings experience about a child with an exceptionality are quite different from their parents' feelings.

Question 42

Ms.Chico,a sixth grade teacher,arranges a parent-teacher conference with Mr.and Mrs.Yuba to discuss a problem she is having with their son Bobby,who has learning disabilities.Most authorities would recommend that Ms.Chico

A)emphasize positive things about Bobby,along with the negative.
B)end the conference by summarizing Bobby's deficit areas.
C)start with business first rather than informal social conversation.
D)use professional language so that the Yubas will view her as a professional.

Question 43

A primary goal of early intervention is to train parents to work in a therapeutic role with their child.

Question 44

Siblings of children with exceptionalities can be best protected by being given minimal information about the nature of the exceptionalities.

Question 45

Parent-child interactions are reciprocal in nature.

Question 46

Parents generally go through a series of emotional reactions to their child's exceptionality in a predictable and sequential fashion.

Question 47

Family stress is typically most influenced by the severity of the child's exceptionality.

Question 48

Evidence is abundant that parents of children with exceptionalities undergo more than the average amount of stress.

Question 49

Due to denial,many parents of infants with exceptionalities go from physician to physician "shopping" for an optimistic diagnosis.

Question 50

Parent advocacy can result in all of the following EXCEPT

A)improvement of services for children with exceptionalities.
B)provision of necessary services for children with exceptionalities.
C)collaboration between parents and professionals.
D)parents acting as classroom teachers for students with exceptionalities.

Question 51

The key to a successful parent-teacher conference is

A)two-way communication.
B)accepting parents as equals.
C)maintaining professional distance.
D)being prepared.

Question 52

Possible accommodations for homework for students with exceptionalities include

A)not giving any homework.
B)providing shorter homework assignments.
C)asking parents to complete homework for students.
D)providing time during recess or lunch for students to complete homework.

Question 53

Parent-teacher conferences benefit the teacher primarily because

A)the teacher can learn more about the student from the parents viewpoint.
B)conferences are easier to arrange than other forms of communication.
C)conferences provide an opportunity for the teacher to visit the home.
D)the teacher does not have to be as diplomatic as in written communication.

Question 54

Which area is often a source of misunderstanding and conflict for the home-school relationship,especially for students with exceptionalities?

A)tests
B)homework
C)extracurricular activities
D)field trips

Question 55

Parents are often the first to notice that something is wrong with their child.

Question 56

Parents generally need some training to assist with their child's education.

Question 57

During a parent-teacher meeting,it is important for teachers to

A)establish their professional expertise.
B)begin by highlighting the difficulties the child is experiencing.
C)support academic or behavioural concerns with specific examples.
D)question parents carefully in order to evaluate whether they are providing adequate support at home.

Question 58

The purpose of home-note programs is to

A)let the teacher know what is going on at home.
B)enable parents to provide reinforcement for behaviour at school.
C)allow parents to communicate with all the professionals who deal with their child.
D)document communication that has occurred between home and school.

Question 59

A travelling notebook

A)allows different professionals to communicate with parents.
B)requires a good deal of preparation.
C)is a formal method of communication.
D)should remain in school at all times so that the professionals who work with a child will have access to it when they need it.

Question 60

When preparing for a parent-teacher conference,the teacher should do all of the following EXCEPT

A)consult other professionals about the student's behaviour.
B)establish the role of authority.
C)review the student's cumulative records.
D)provide written notice.

Question 61

Describe the changing views that professionals have of parents adjustment to their child's exceptionality including at least two examples of life-changing experiences that parents report.

Question 62

Describe the symbiotic relationship between teachers and parents,providing two examples of the importance of families to teachers and two of the importance of teachers to families.

Question 63

Discuss the advantages and (possible)disadvantages of three home-school communication strategies: Parent-teacher conferences,home-note program,and travelling notebooks.

Question 64

Families with a high level of cohesion may limit their child's independence.

Question 65

Size,cultural background,and socioeconomic status are examples of family characteristics.

Question 66

Research suggests that formal support systems are more effective than informal support networks.

Question 67

Describe three strategies that teachers can use to make homework assignments more effective.

Question 68

Most family intervention programs today are either professional-centred or family-centred.

Question 69

Interpretive Exercise
Carol and Ed Johnson have three children: Tony,age 15;Mark,age 12;and Sarah,age 10.Tony,who is about to enter high school,has Down syndrome.He currently attends a regular middle school where he is in a self-contained special education program for most of the day.Tony's speech is difficult to understand so he uses a combination of speech and manual signs to communicate.He has a variety of physical problems,including a congenital heart defect and visual impairment.Academically,his skills are at the kindergarten to first grade level.Tony and Mark attend the same middle school and Mark sometimes rides the special education bus with Tony.Both Carol and Ed work full-time.Although she could earn more money working in a hospital or in a physicians office,Carol works as a school nurse so she can be home after school with Tony;the community does not have after-school programs for middle school students.
Mark is more likely to have difficulty adjusting to Tony's exceptionality than Sarah.

Question 70

Interpretive Exercise
Carol and Ed Johnson have three children: Tony,age 15;Mark,age 12;and Sarah,age 10.Tony,who is about to enter high school,has Down syndrome.He currently attends a regular middle school where he is in a self-contained special education program for most of the day.Tony's speech is difficult to understand so he uses a combination of speech and manual signs to communicate.He has a variety of physical problems,including a congenital heart defect and visual impairment.Academically,his skills are at the kindergarten to first grade level.Tony and Mark attend the same middle school and Mark sometimes rides the special education bus with Tony.Both Carol and Ed work full-time.Although she could earn more money working in a hospital or in a physicians office,Carol works as a school nurse so she can be home after school with Tony;the community does not have after-school programs for middle school students.
Write a script depicting a beginning-of-the-year parent-teacher conference between Tony's teacher and Ed and Carol.

Question 71

Parents of a child with an exceptionality who are uninvolved with decision-making at school are probably neglectful at home.

Question 72

During parent-teacher meetings,teachers should remain business-like and professional.

Question 73

Interpretive Exercise
Carol and Ed Johnson have three children: Tony,age 15;Mark,age 12;and Sarah,age 10.Tony,who is about to enter high school,has Down syndrome.He currently attends a regular middle school where he is in a self-contained special education program for most of the day.Tony's speech is difficult to understand so he uses a combination of speech and manual signs to communicate.He has a variety of physical problems,including a congenital heart defect and visual impairment.Academically,his skills are at the kindergarten to first grade level.Tony and Mark attend the same middle school and Mark sometimes rides the special education bus with Tony.Both Carol and Ed work full-time.Although she could earn more money working in a hospital or in a physicians office,Carol works as a school nurse so she can be home after school with Tony;the community does not have after-school programs for middle school students.
Ed and Carol would like assistance with after-school care for Tony.From the social support approach,how should they proceed?

A)find a neighbour who would be willing to care for Tony
B)recruit one of the teacher's aides at school to baby-sit for Tony
C)request that the school district bus Tony to a special after-school program in a neighbouring town
D)meet with a social worker to identify professionals in the community who could assist them

Question 74

Explain why siblings of a child with an exceptionality might have a more difficult time adjusting than their parents and list four concerns that children and adolescents might have about their sibling with an exceptionality.

Question 75

Interpretive Exercise
Carol and Ed Johnson have three children: Tony,age 15;Mark,age 12;and Sarah,age 10.Tony,who is about to enter high school,has Down syndrome.He currently attends a regular middle school where he is in a self-contained special education program for most of the day.Tony's speech is difficult to understand so he uses a combination of speech and manual signs to communicate.He has a variety of physical problems,including a congenital heart defect and visual impairment.Academically,his skills are at the kindergarten to first grade level.Tony and Mark attend the same middle school and Mark sometimes rides the special education bus with Tony.Both Carol and Ed work full-time.Although she could earn more money working in a hospital or in a physicians office,Carol works as a school nurse so she can be home after school with Tony;the community does not have after-school programs for middle school students.
For Ed and Carol,parental stress is most likely the result of

A)Tony's medical needs.
B)daily burdens related to Tony's care.
C)Mark and Sarah's resentment of Tony.
D)the public reaction to Tony's exceptionality.

Question 76

Ethnic minority families are generally more accepting of their children with exceptionalities.

Question 77

Describe three sources of social support that parents draw from and what each source of support provides.

Question 78

Describe three ways teachers can incorporate family involvement into class and school activities,including one specific to facilitating involvement of culturally diverse or linguistically diverse families.

Question 79

Describe the family systems approach to intervention.

Question 80

Guardianship refers to the legal right of an individual with an exceptionality to make their own decisions.