How Parents Cope with Having Children with Disabilities
No parent expects to have a child with a disability. Parents nearly always act strongly to the birth of a disabled child. It is important to consider their responses, because they happen to every parent, regardless of their educational, social or socioeconomic background. ¡§Most parents who must cope with a child of a disability face the major crisis of ¡§symbolic death¡¨ of the child who was to be. When their child is first diagnosed as having a serious disability, most parents feel shock, and then denial, guilt, anger and sadness before they finally adjust¡¨ (Peterson, 1987).
When a parent receives a diagnosis of a disability it can be extremely devastating. For some parents, it may also be a relief, having a label for the symptoms of their child. The specific diagnosis is important for parents because it can open up doors for services. A diagnosis of autism, for example, can be upsetting but it is very important to state that autistic children have much room to grow and improve. Autism is treatable and the earlier these children receive the treatment that they need, the better their prognosis. They may progress slower than others but can still live productive and happy lives. On the other hand, a child who has cerebral palsy or is emotionally disturbed is a more difficult crisis to handle. These children are often hard to dress, feed and care for. They require constant care and the responsibilities which weigh down families. The parents must come to the realization that their child may not go through normal developmental process or may never become an independent adult.
The responsibilities of a two-parent working family are tough enough without adding the special condition of having a child with a disability. Let¡¦s say, for instance, there is a family with two children, one with cerebral palsy and one normal functioning child. A two-parent household has to most likely wake up, bathe both children, prepare breakfast, drop off children at
When a parent receives a diagnosis of a disability it can be extremely devastating. For some parents, it may also be a relief, having a label for the symptoms of their child. The specific diagnosis is important for parents because it can open up doors for services. A diagnosis of autism, for example, can be upsetting but it is very important to state that autistic children have much room to grow and improve. Autism is treatable and the earlier these children receive the treatment that they need, the better their prognosis. They may progress slower than others but can still live productive and happy lives. On the other hand, a child who has cerebral palsy or is emotionally disturbed is a more difficult crisis to handle. These children are often hard to dress, feed and care for. They require constant care and the responsibilities which weigh down families. The parents must come to the realization that their child may not go through normal developmental process or may never become an independent adult.
The responsibilities of a two-parent working family are tough enough without adding the special condition of having a child with a disability. Let¡¦s say, for instance, there is a family with two children, one with cerebral palsy and one normal functioning child. A two-parent household has to most likely wake up, bathe both children, prepare breakfast, drop off children at
References: 1. Peterson, N.(1987). Parenting the young handicapped at-risk child. In N. Peterson (Ed.), Early Intervention for handicapped and at-risk children: An introduction to early childhood special education (pp.409-446). 2. Bristol, M. G., Gallager, J. & Schopler, E. (1998). Mothers and Fathers of young developmentally disabled and nondisabled boys: Adaptation and spousal support. Developmental Psychology, 24(3), 441-451. 3. Harris, V., & McHale, S. (1989) Family life problems, daily care giving activities and the psychological well being of mothers of mentally retarded children. American Journal or Mental Retardation, 94, 231-239.