[Book review] Philip E. Agre and Stanley J. Rosenschein (eds), Computational Theories of Interaction and Agency

Review of: Philip E. Agre and Stanley J. Rosenschein (eds), Computational Theories of Interaction and Agency, MIT Press (1996), ISBN: 978-0262510905

[Book review] Peter Reimann and Hans Spada (eds), Learning in Humans and Machines: Towards an Interdisciplinary Learning Science

Review of: Peter Reimann and Hans Spada (eds), Learning in Humans and Machines: Towards an Interdisciplinary Learning Science, Pergamon. (1995). ISBN: 978-0080425696

[Book Review] Noel Starkey (ed), Connectionist Natural Language Processing: Readings from 'Connection Science'

Review of: Noel Starkey (ed), Connectionist Natural Language Processing: Readings from 'Connection Science'

Meeting the emotional needs of parents who have a child with complex needs

The physical and financial demands of caring for a child with complex needs are acknowledged by health professionals. However, the emotional needs of parents are not often recognized by health professionals until parents are at a heightened level of stress. This paper is based on a literature review of current articles, research papers and government documentation. The focus is on the emotional impact to parents who have a child with complex needs, particularly at the point of diagnosis. The paper explores how health professionals, and nurses in particular, should meet the emotional needs of parents in order to support them more effectively. Giving birth to a child with severe health problems impacts upon parents at an emotional time of transition, particularly if there were no concerns identified during pregnancy. For some parents a grief response or state of chronic sorrow may be triggered. The reality of caring for a baby who is critically ill or disabled can be an enormous and unexpected shock for both parents. Parents need emotional support and guidance, as they may have to change their expectations for their child’s development and even life span. It is important for nurses to realise that if parents’ emotional needs are unmet it can lead to clinical depression or mental illness. Primary support often comes from parent support groups rather than health professionals. The review highlights factors affecting parents’ emotions and discusses how early support, home visits and practical help can all help to alleviate parents’ emotional stress.