The family with a handicapped child: a review of the literature.

Research is reviewed on the impact of a handicapped child on the family. While most authors agree that the presence of such a child is a family stressor, there have been few studies using control groups, analytical methods, representative samples, or adequate numbers. The wide age range of the children within and across studies and the diversity of populations confuse some issues and leave others unresolved. In addition, no instrument has been designed to measure specifically the stress in families of a handicapped child. Most authors have not taken into account the dynamic process of rearing a handicapped child, nor have they addressed the problems of having a mildly handicapped child.