ABSTRACT
Disability in adolescents may be defined as any condition that potentially impairs functioning. Certain disabled children are at risk of being developmentally and psychologically impaired for the rest of their lives. In the adolescent the psychological processes are inextricably influenced by on-going physical changes. Many families with disabled children fall into an insidious trap. The family expects diminished functioning of the disabled youngster and therefore does not challenge the adolescent to stretch and grow. The goal of therapy must be to change the dysfunctional patterns of interaction between individual and context. The therapist must be able to dissect how the family's needs are played out in the process of caring for the handicapped individual. The therapist must be sensitive to the transition points that affect the family's vulnerability. One of the key principles in dealing with disabled adolescents and their families is searching for areas of the child's mastery and competence.
