ABSTRACT
Among the most difficult and delicate occupations in our complex world are teaching and parenting. As the pressures of society grow, raising a so-called normal child is beset with many difficulties. These difficulties are compounded when the child has “special” problems: the differences are frequently a matter of degree. In other words, many of the behaviors and needs of the special child are in fact also behaviors and needs demonstrated by normal children. Nevertheless, when the problematic behaviors and needs of the child are numerous, they may together serve to handicap the child in social relationships, learning, and self-esteem. This essay will touch on a few of the practical issues of interest primarily to parents of special children. We will not deal here with problems related to the exceptionality of the intellectually superior.
