THE BOOK IS CONCERNED WITH THE ADJUSTMENTS PARENTS MAKE WHEN AN EXCEPTIONAL CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE FAMILY STRUCTURE. THE DYNAMICS OF FAMILY INTERACTION ARE DESCRIBED. THE FAMILY AS A SOCIAL SYSTEM IS DEFINED, AND ROLES OF FAMILY MEMBERS ARE DISCUSSED. PARENTAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS ARE PRESENTED AS CLOSELY RELATED TO ADJUSTMENT OF THE EXCEPTIONAL CHILD IN THE FAMILY. THERE ARE DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME OF THE COMMON PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFENSES USED BY PARENTS AS THEY ATTEMPT TO ADJUST TO A CHILD WITH A DEFECT. THE AIM AND PROCEDURES OF COUNSELING PARENTS OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN AND THE PRINCIPLES AND PURPOSES WHICH APPLY TO INTERVIEWING PARENTS AND ESTABLISHING AN ACCEPTABLE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COUNSELOR AND PARENTS ARE EXPLAINED. THE INFLUENCE OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN (MENTALLY RETARDED, SENSORY DEFECTIVE OR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED AND MENTALLY ILL, GIFTED, AND ADOPTED) ON THE FAMILY ORGANIZATION IS PRESENTED. THE FINAL SECTIONS INCLUDE A CASE HISTORY, AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF 21 SELECTED GUIDES FOR PARENTS, AND A 159-ITEM REFERENCE LIST. THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE FROM GRUNE AND STRATTON, INC., 381 PARK AVENUE SOUTH, NEW YORK 16, NEW YORK, FOR $6.75. (UM)