Recommendations for clinicians based on parents' experiences.

Three mothers of children with severe communication disabilities describe their experiences with speech-language pathologists and the intervention process. The parents were asked open-ended and descriptive questions. Their responses provide valuable insights and direction for professionals interested in working more closely with families of children with disabilities. The mothers describe their role as primary case managers for their children's treatment programs. They identify the type of speech-language pathologist they prefer to work with their child and the professional guidance they find most helpful. Several recommendations for communication disorders professionals evolved from the discussion.

A proactive model for treating communication disorders in children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury.

This proactive approach to assessment and intervention focuses both on looking ahead to determine problems the student with TBI is likely to encounter as a result of cognitive-communicative impairments, and on developing solutions to those problems. Intervention places the family and other important people in the student's life at the center of the treatment process. Family members, teachers, peers, and coworkers can be incorporated into the intervention program. Strategies and techniques can be implemented within the home, school, community, and work setting. To do so, professionals must be committed to working closely with others to develop collaborative relationships.