This book explores the lived experience of mothers raising a child with a learning disability, through interviews with mothers of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Down syndrome. With frequent personal accounts from mothers themselves, Mothering Special Needs encourages other women who have children with special needs to recognize and express their own aspirations and needs for self-fulfilment. It addresses the social construction of motherhood, discussing issues such as mother-blame and society's images of the self-sacrificing mother, in the context of raising a child with a learning disability. It also looks at real-life experiences of working with professionals, giving examples of both good and bad practice. This is an invaluable book for mothers as well as for professionals working with families that include children with disabilities.

Préface
The experience of mothers of children with learning disabilities, including ASD, ADHD and Down syndrome

Auteur
Anna Karin Kingston is a Swedish journalist living in Cork, Ireland since 1989. She has a PhD in Social Sciences and is currently a member of the MA in Women's Studies' teaching board, University College Cork. Her research on mothers of children with special needs was awarded scholarships from the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS) during 2001-2004 and from the National Disability Authority 2001.

Contenu
Prologue. 1. Introduction. 2. The Challenge of Maternal Voices. 3. Maternal Coping. 4. Maternal Work and Employment. 5. Mothers' Relationships with Fathers, Families and Social Networks. 6. A Different Maternal Journey - Conclusion. Epilogue. Appendix: Profile of Participants. Useful Contacts. Books by Mothers of Children with Special Needs. References. Subject Index. Author Index.