ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on childhood disability and family systems. Scientists of human behavior have for many years made families the object of great study. National attention has been drawn to cases of Baby Doe and Baby Fae as the governing agents of the society have been faced with wrenching decisions about the quality of life and whether organ support systems and other devices of modern medical technology should be used in all cases. The book begins with a survey of the prevalence and incidence rates of disabling conditions as they present in children by Inez Marie Fitzgerald. A society in which nationally deficits and escalating health care costs are but daily news items. Finally the book deals with child care systems and services necessary for effective work with disabled children and their families.
