Children’s Relationships: Family Relations in Children with Disabilities
Return to PSYC 4650 Opening Page
Initial Reaction of Parents to Child Disability
Individual differences
Not always orderly, sequential
Phases:
· shock/denial
· depression, anger
· reorganisation, acceptance
Post-traumatic growth, strength
Subsequent Impacts on Parents
Accommodations
Stress and Coping
Factors Influencing Stress
Child Characteristics
Type of Disability
Pervasiveness/Severity
Age of Child
Parent Characteristics
Personal Coping
Marital Status
Marital Adjustment
Education
Financial Resources
Perception of Situation
Impact of Disability on Siblings
Brothers vs. Sisters
Age Factors
The Older Sister
Adult Relationships
Grandparents
Intervention Strategies with Families with Disabilities
Special Considerations for Developing Family Centred Treatments
• Child centred & family focused
• Comprehensive array of services
• Individualised service plan
• Least restrictive, most normative environment
• Families full participation
• Use informal family supports
Some Basic Principles about Intervention with Families with Disabilities
Families are the experts on family caregiving, and they should be in charge of
the care of their family member. (Empowerment)
Most families want to and can succeed at caregiving (Positive approaches-
Recognise and build on the strengths of all family members.)
Families can learn much from one another- not just from professionals
Professionals can help with basic information as consultants to families who
request assistance (Co-operative partnerships).
The whole family should be involved in the care, not just one person.
Families are all different, and the unique needs of each family must be fully
considered
Comprehensive Intervention for Families with Children with Intellectual Disability
A. Infancy and Early Childhood Services
Diagnostic/Prescriptive Services
Therapies-Physical, occupational, speech, medical etc
Cash Subsidies-support payment, vouchers
Family Support Service, home modifications,
parental leave
Transportation
Respite care
Case management
Early Intervention
Infant/parent intervention- reciprocity/synchrony,
engaging parents & infants, stimulation &
enrichment training
Developmental day care
Behaviour management
Parent Education and Support
Personal coping, juggling skills
Problem solving skills,
household management
empowerment training
Advocacy. training
Behaviour management
Child development enrichment
Parent to Parent groups- info & skill sharing; support
The value of training and support from lay persons, peers of the
same ethnic and social background
B. Middle Childhood, Adolescence
Special Education
Advocacy training, legal information
Career & life skills preparation
Siblings- info, support, peer training