The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology and Disability

Roughly 54 million people with disabilities live in the U.S., and there are many more millions of people with disabilities around the world. Not surprisingly, differences among and between people with disabilities are often as notable as differences between people with and without disabilities. And, while the lack of homogeneity among people with disabilities makes creating a valid taxonomy under this term difficult, if not impossible, there is commonality among and between people with disabilities that justifies an authoritative resource on positive psychology and disability. That is, they have experienced discrimination and marginalization as a function of their disability. This volume assembles chapters by leading scholars in the fields of disability and positive psychology to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the state of the field of positive psychology and disability. Chapters are organized into thematic sections, beginning with an introductory section providing information on overarching themes in positive psychology and disability. The second section highlights the application of positive psychological constructs to disability, including quality of life, self-determination, adaptive behavior, optimism, hope, problem solving, forgiveness, gratitude, and spirituality. The following section addresses systemic issues in disability that impact positive psychology, again turning to disciplines beyond just psychology (special education, rehabilitation sciences, family, and disability policy) to address areas in which positive psychology can be applied. A fourth section examines positive psychology in specific disabled populations, including physical disabilities, cognitive and developmental disabilities, severe multiple disabilities, emotional and behavioral disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders. Disability has always been associated with "differentness" and, consequently, people with disabilities have, throughout time, been treated as such. As the first handbook to consider disability from a strengths-based perspective, this volume provides a catalyst to accelerate the application of positive psychology with regard to how disability is understood.

Part One: Overarching Themes in Positive Psychology and Disability; 1. Beyond Pathology: Positive Psychology and Disability; Michael L. Wehmeyer; 2. Understanding Disability: A Strengths-based Approach; Wil H. E. Buntinx; 3. Positive Psychology and Disability: An Historical Analysis; Karrie A. Shogren; Part Two: Application of Positive Psychological Constructs to Disability; 4. The Impact of the Quality of Life Concept on the Field of Intellectual Disability; Robert L. Schalock and Miguel Angel Verdugo Alonso; 5. Optimism within the Context of Disability; Kevin Rand and Amanda M. Shea; 6. Social Well-Being and Friendship of People with Intellectual Disability; Joanne Kersh, Laura Corona, and Gary Siperstein; 7. Exercise, Leisure, and Well-Being for People with Disabilities; Jennifer Rowland; 8. Coping and Disability; Lillian R. Reuman, Chelsea Mitamura, and Michele Tugard; 9. Adaptive Behavior; Marc J. Tass?; 10. Self-Determination; Michael L. Wehmeyer and Todd D. Little; 11. Self-Determined Learning; Dennis Mithaug; 12. Understanding Hope in Individuals with Disabilities; Cindy Pressgrove Buchanon and Shane Lopez; 13. Family Perspectives on Child Intellectual Disability: Views from the Sunny Side of the Street; Jan Blacher, Bruce Baker, and Lauren D. Berkovitz; 14. Resilience and Disability: Concepts, Examples, Cautions, and Prospects; Christopher Murray and Bonnie Doren; 15. Problem Solving and Decision Making; Linda Hickson and Ishita Khemka; 16. Forgiveness, Gratitude, and Spirituality; William Gaventa; 17. Career Development and Career Thoughts; Salvatore Soresi, Laura Nota, Lea Ferarri, and Teresa Maria Sgaramella; 18. Self-Regulation; Dale H. Schunk and William D. Bursuck; 19. Disability Studies/Disability Culture; Brenda Jo Brueggemann; Part Three: Systems that Support Positive Psychology and Disability; 20. Positive Behavior Support: Foundations, Systems, and Quality of Life; Glen Dunlap, Donald Kincaid, and Donald Jackson; 21. Supports and Support Needs; James R. Thompson and Yuwadee Viriyangkura; 22. Supported Employment; Paul Wehman, Vicki Brooke, Stephanie Lau, and Pamela Targett; 23. Family Quality of Life; Caya Chiu, Kathleen Kyzar, Nina Zuna, Ann Turnbull, Jean Ann Summers, and Vivi Aya Gomez; 24. Education; Sharon Field; 25. Aging with Disability; Tamar Heller and Lieke van Heumen; Part Four: Specific Populations and Positive Psychology; 26. A Positive Psychology of Physical Disability: Principles and Progress; Dana S. Dunn, Gitendra Uswatte, Timothy R. Elliott, Allissa Lastres, and Brittany Beard; 27. Cognitive and Developmental Disabilities; Karrie A. Shogren; 28. Severe, Multiple Disabilities; Mats Granlund, Jenny Wilder, and Lena Almqvist; 29. Positive Psychology and Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disability; Dan Olympia, Lora Tuesday Heathfield, William R. Jenson, Holly Majszak, Virginia Ramos-Matias, and Monique Thacker; 30. Autism Spectrum Disorders; Dianne Zager; Part Five: Considerations for the Field of Disability; 31. Limitations to Positive Psychology Predicted by Subjective Wellbeing Homeostasis; Robert A. Cummins

Michael L. Wehmeyer, Ph.D., is Professor, Department of Special Education, University of Kansas; Director, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities; Senior Scientist, Beach Center on Disability, University of Kansas. His research and intervention efforts focus on promoting the self-determination of children, youth, and adults with and without disabilities.