A Difference in the Family: Living with a Disabled Child (ISBN 0140059415)

The wonderful gift for parents who have a disabled child:
I discovered this book shortly after my daughter was born with a severe orthopedic birth defect, and it helped me a great deal to cope during those early months. Just reading other families' stories--and seeing that there are many ways for children to develop and be loved--was a genuine inspiration. The author's special vantagepoint, as both the mother of a disabled child and a specialist in child development, lends both sensitivity and objectivity to the writing. If you "don't know what to say" to a friend or relative who is facing this crisis, let this book do the communicating...

A wonderful source of support!:
Although I have been aware of my daughter's disability for years, I found Ms. Featherstone's book to be a source of support and understanding which I couldn't find elsewhere. This book covers a wide range of disabilities from physical, to mental, to emotional handicaps and gives first-hand accounts from people who have various relationships with the disabled. I recommend this book to anyone who is searching for a niche in the world as a relative to a someone with a disability.

Excellent Introduction to Family Systems w/mentally retarded:
It is difficult to believe that I would be the first to sing the praise of Ms. Featherstone's book on Amazon. This is a MUST READ for professionals going into the field of individuals with intellectual disabilities and the families who love them. As a sibling of a man with Down Syndrome I couldn't have written a better book myself. And as a Adult Sibling Selfhelp Support Group Facilitator I couldn't recommed a better book to my fellow siblings.

Laying the groundwork:
This book is a top-notch history of where we have been as a society dealing with children with special needs. It lays the groundwork for many of the programs and ideas we have today. Definitely worthwhile reading.