Grandparents of Children with Special Needs: Supports Especially for Grandparents

Although the impact of a handicapped child on parents is acknowledged by professionals, the experiences and needs of the child's grandparents are often overlooked Grandparents experience many of the same reactions as the child's parents, including stress, depression, grief, and uncertainty about the future However, grandparents have less access than parents to the information and supports that would help them adjust to their grandchild's handicap and to be of assistance to the family This article describes a model for workshops that address grandparents' information and peer support needs and written materials developed for grandparents and professionals.