Read more
Caring for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities is a powerful collection of narrative clinical stories drawn from the long career of developmental pediatrician Dr. Alfred L Scherzer. Focused on children with disabilities and their families, each chapter includes a pediatrician's perspective, a real-life story, and reflective commentary. These deeply human stories illuminate the complexities of disability care, offering nuanced insights into clinical challenges, ethical dilemmas, family dynamics, and the lifelong impact of early intervention.
Rather than clinical guidelines, these are personal recollections meant to spark reflection, discussion, and empathy. They emphasize the importance of patient- and family-centered care, the role of storytelling in medical education, and the value of lived experience alongside professional expertise. From navigating diagnoses to balancing autonomy and protection, the narratives underscore the emotional and societal dimensions of childhood-onset disabilities.
The book supports professional learning for clinicians working with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities; strengthens team communication and offers validation and insight for families navigating similar experiences.
List of contents
Foreword
Bernard Dan
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
2. Perspectives on the Stories
3. Albert - Healthcare Providers Assisting Parental Acceptance of Down Syndrome
4. Bao Hong - Growth and Development in Cerebral Palsy Through Continuous Parental Involvement
5. Bobby - When to Recognize Limits and Set Realistic Goals with Spina Bifida
6. Brad - When There Is No Clear Solution to Unresolved Conflict Over ADHD Medication
7. Christine and Charlie - Managing Acceptance and Clinical Bias in Family-Centered Care
8. Christopher - When Ability in a Child with Down Syndrome Overcame Bullying
9. Eddie - The Unique Abilities and Positive Outcome for an Adult with Intellectual Disability
10. Howard - A Family's Search for Answers for Their Child with Autism
11. James - Addressing Excessive Parental Care of a Child with Cerebral Palsy
12. Jay - When Delayed Diagnosis Affected the Development of a Child with ADHD
13. Jimmy and Gayle - A Parent's Journey in Understanding and Accepting Her Children's ADHD
14. Joseph - How Family Counseling Can Help Resolve Conflict and Enable Effective Treatment of Tourette Syndrome
15. Justin - Assisting Families to Move Towards Realistic Expectations of Cerebral Palsy
16. Krysten - Long-Term Professional Relationships and Severe Behavioral Challenges in Hydrocephalus
17. Margaret - Helping Parents Recognize the Potential in Down Syndrome
18. Moira - Fostering Independence in Spina Bifida Through Family and Medical Support
19. Nilda - Alternatives for Care and Long-term Management for the Child with Multiple Non-Progressive Disabilities
20. Peter - Abuse of Medication and Family Support for Rehabilitative Care in ADHD
21. Raymond - When a Parent's Priorities Conflict with the Medical Needs of a Child with Cerebral Palsy
22. Robert - How Community Participation Can Foster Motivation in ADHD
23. Ronnie - Helping Parents Navigate Alternative Therapies for Cerebral Palsy Treatment
24. Sarah - Late Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder through Inter-Physician Referral
25. Scott - Managing Care and Attempting to Foster Independence in a Child with Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome
26. Tanya - The Resilient Family of a Child with Cerebral Palsy Maintaining Professional Boundaries
27. Tommy - When Complex Family Dynamics and History Affect ADHD
28. Vasant - A Fully Functioning Independent Adult Despite a History of Social Deprivation and Multiple Disabilities
Index
