Disability Definitions, Diagnoses, and Practice Implications

Dr. Smart, like all of her other scholarly contributions on disability, has once again written an outstanding book for new and advanced social science students and practicing counselors about working with people with disabilities. This book ties together so many loose ends other similar books do not cover. She explains what disability is for the many professionals who remain unsure and explains various diagnoses using the ICF and DSM-V contemporary classifications. She blends current ethical, legal, and practice guidelines for counselors that crosses practice disciplines in excellent fashion. Finally, she interweaves personal account excerpts across various counseling disciplines, noting attitudes, empathy, societal injustice issues and gender identity concerns, which are exemplary and contemporary matters. This is a must-read for undergraduate and graduate students alike across disciplines. Irmo Marini, PhD, CRC, CLCP, FVE, certified rehabilitation counselor, certified life care planner, Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Dr. Smart is, indeed, a disability scholar. The strength of this book is the thorough discussion of the impact that societal attitudes and perceptions have on IWDs. This work integrates various models of research, technological, and medical advances that positively transform the quality of life for IWDs. It comprehensibly defines and interprets complex laws, policies, movements, and disability classification systems that govern programs, services, and systems for IWDs. Dr. Smart's passion for the multicultural nature of humanity drives this work. Mark A. Stebnicki, PhD, LPC, CRC, CCM, DCMHS, Professor, Coordinator of Military and Trauma Counseling Program, Department of Addictions & Rehabilitation, East Carolina University ã ã