Finding a Way in the Wilderness

Reviews the books, The Exceptional Child by Walter B. Barbe (see record 1965-05924-000); and The Exceptional Child in the Family by Alan O. Ross (see record 1965-07407-000). Both of the small monographs reviewed here deal with the broad spectrum of exceptionality. Barbe is somewhat more concerned with the teachers of exceptional children, while Ross deals primarily with the impact of exceptionality upon the family constellation. Both authors include the entire gamut from the intellectually gifted to the mentally and physically disabled. All the children are the source of serious problems not only to themselves but to their parents, teachers, and the communities. There are indeed differences between the two books. For the most part, however, they are more alike than different. Both authors are committed to their convictions that teachers and parents could avoid or minimize emotional reactions and ineffective approaches to exceptional children if they understood the nature of the childrens' needs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)