Intellectual Disability: A Guide for Families and Professionals - Tapa dura

"Thank you James Harris! In this short and readable book, you have given every family of a person with intellectual disabilities, and every person who cares about them, a thorough understanding to medical, psychological, social, and even spiritual options. Most importantly, you remind everyone that people with intellectual disabilities are people first-capable, full of potential, ready to live full lives. When it comes to intellectual disabilities, it's all here in this invaluable and up-to-date guide."--Timothy P. Shriver, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO, Special Olympics "Dr. Harris has written a valuable resource for parents, lay people and professionals. He writes from the perspective of a practicing psychiatrist, with the understanding and wisdom that comes with three decades of clinical experience with a wide variety of children with disabilities from every corner of the US. Dr. Harris is, at heart, an advocate for children and his passion and concern for the rights and care of children with intellectual disabilities comes through in every chapter."--Steven M. Eidelman, Co-Director of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities and H. Rodney Sharp Professor of Human Services Policy and Leadership, University of Delaware "Comprehensive and pitched perfectly for a lay audience, this book is unique and will likely become THE source book for parents and advocacy organizations."--Joseph T. Coyle, Eben S. Draper Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School "'Tour de force' and 'James Harris' deserve to share the same sentence. That this book was written, with its clear focus on addressing common questions and concerns for families of persons affected with intellectual disability, is a testament to Dr. Harris' compassion and skill as a clinician. Additionally, his ability to render very complex concepts in such an accessible way, and his comprehensive approach, distinguish Dr. Harris once again as an outstanding educator. The convergence of these skills in this work will surely make his book a welcome addition for families as intended, but also for care providers and students at all levels who share an interest in intellectual disability and a desire to be more effective."--Bryan H. King, Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital "There is a great need for a readable but scientifically-based resource for families of persons who have intellectual disability. I am happy that such a book has been written by Dr. James Harris and that I will soon be able to recommend it to the parents of patients whom I see."--Ludwik Szymanski, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School "Harris offers a thorough and readable summary and discussion of the scientific literature, providing a useful introduction and reference work for individuals involved with the treatment, education, and care of persons with intellectual disability...In this volume, Harris has provided the field with a textbook and a reference work that will serve us well. In it he not only offers an overview of whence the field of developmental disabilities has come and where we presently find ourselves but also addresses the question of whither we are headed."--PsycCRITIQUES "Harris refuses to treat intellectual disability as a static condition but as an evolving process in the life span of a person. He details changes that can occur with proper diagnosis, treatment, care, and vocational placement. He touches on moral development and the role of the family. Overall this is a remarkable and timely book that will be welcomed by all professionals and students who venture into the thorny field of intellectual disability."--Psychiatric Services "With publication of Intellectual Disability: Understanding Its Development, Causes, Classification, Evaluation, and Treatment, Dr. James Harris has provided an inspired 'blueprint' that translates current scientific and clinical advances to individuals and patient populations with intellectual disability and has thereby charted a course for the future...Intellectual Disability is truly a book that can be read cover to cover and one that is destined for the shelves of physicians, other health professionals, and those in other disciplines who work with this population, from educators and administrators to parents."--JAMA "Harris's skill as a writer and organizer cannot be overstated. He uses a mixture of technical and lay language to paint the multifaceted picture of a complex field that stretches from historical accounts to the latest advances in in genomic sciences to issues of social policy and ethics. To achieve this coverage in a single volume is a remarkable achievement."--Journal of Clinical Psychiatry ..".covers the associated emotional and behavioral problems thoroughly... Unique features include the appendixes, which provide additional information such as resources for getting help in the community and the Special Olympics. Also unique are the case examples. This is an excellent book for all those working with clients with intellectual disability. It is readable and clinically applicable. The developmental approach will assist with finding appropriate interventions for each individual." --Doody's Book Review "As a clinician, I find treating psychiatric comorbidities in these patients to be difficult. This book helps to make this seem more manageable. Unique features include the appendixes, which provide additional information such as resources for getting help in the community and the Special Olympics. Also unique are the case examples. This is an excellent book for all those working with clients with intellectual disability."--Regina Lopez, MD, Doody's "This book contains a rich mine of material. The psychiatric and behavioral symptoms that accompany intellectual disability are thoroughly described, and their psychopharmacologic management is authoritatively discussed. In addition, there is extensive material on legal, social, ethical, and spiritual aspects of intellectual disability, and appendixes containing lists of resources and agencies and reports of governmental and research conferences...developmental pediatricians, child psychiatrists, administrators, educators, and others caring for children or adults with intellectual disabilities--and especially trainees in these fields--will benefit from reading this book and taking to heart the major themes. For the reader, the time spent is rather like that on clinical rounds with a broadly experienced senior professor."--New England Journal of Medicine "Harris offers a thorough and readable summary and discussion of the scientific literature, providing a useful introduction and reference work for individuals involved with the treatment, education, and care of persons with intellectual disability...In this volume, Harris has provided the field with a textbook and a reference work that will serve us well. In it he not only offers an overview of whence the field of developmental disabilities has come and where we presently find ourselves but also addresses the question of whither we are headed."--PsycCRITIQUES "Harris refuses to treat intellectual disability as a static condition but as an evolving process in the life span of a person. He details changes that can occur with proper diagnosis, treatment, care, and vocational placement. He touches on moral development and the role of the family. Overall this is a remarkable and timely book that will be welcomed by all professionals and students who venture into the thorny field of intellectual disability."--Psychiatric Services "With publication of Intellectual Disability: Understanding Its Development, Causes, Classification, Evaluation, and Treatment, Dr. James Harris has provided an inspired 'blueprint' that translates current scientific and clinical advances to individuals and patient populations with intellectual disability and has thereby charted a course for the future...Intellectual Disability is truly a book that can be read cover to cover and one that is destined for the shelves of physicians, other health professionals, and those in other disciplines who work with this population, from educators and administrators to parents."--JAMA "The content of this book is broad, deep, and useful. Harris's skill as a writer and organizer cannot be overstated. He uses a mixture of technical and lay language to paint the multifaceted picture of a complex field that stretches from historical accounts to the latest advances in genomic sciences to issues of social policy and ethics. To achieve this coverage in a single volume is a remarkable accomplishment."--Journal of Clinical Psychiatry "This is a very useful guide for families and professionals. It presents information that is essential in coping with the vicissitudes individuals with intellectual disabilities present." --Doody's ..".the book is an excellent non-technical introduction to ID for families, students, and professionals who do not specialize in the condition. It is clearly written and emphasizes useful themes of increasing the well-being and autonomy of individuals with ID...I would recommend the book to a variety of audiences, and I look forward to reading more of the author's professional writings." --Metapsychology

Approximately 2.5 million people in the United States―one percent of the population―have an intellectual disability (previously referred to as mental retardation). These conditions range from genetic disorders such as Down syndrome to disabilities caused by infectious diseases and brain injury. Intellectual Disability: A Guide for Families and Professionals, by one of the country's foremost authorities on intellectual disability, is a comprehensive resource that will be of importance to anyone with a personal connection to a child or adult with a neurodevelopmental disorder.
Emphasizing the humanity of persons with intellectual and related developmental disabilities, psychiatrist and pediatrician James Harris provides essential information on assessment and diagnosis of intellectual disability, treatments for specific disorders, and ways to take advantage of the wide array of services available today. The focus throughout is on the development of the person, the positive supports necessary for self-determination, and, to the extent possible, independent decision making. Harris also surveys historical attitudes toward intellectual disability, the medical community's current understanding of its causes and frequency, and the associated physical, behavioral, and psychiatric conditions (such as seizure disorder, depression, and autism) that often accompany particular types of intellectual disability. The book addresses legal, medical, mental health, and research-related issues as well as matters of spirituality, highlighting the ways in which individuals with intellectual disability can meaningfully participate in the spiritual lives of their families and their communities. Each chapter ends with a series of key points to remember, and the book concludes with a list of additional resources of further interest.
Intellectual Disability is a must-read for parents and families of those with neurodevelopmental disorders, providing guidance and essential information to help their family members effectively, and to make a significant, positive difference in their lives now and in the future.