Impact of Child Disability on Family Dynamics

Disability places a set of extra demands or challenges on the family system; most of these demands last for a long time (Murphy 1982). Yet surviving and thriving can be especially difficult for children with disabilities. They are at greater risk of being poor than peers without disabilities.

Sufficient proof exists, which suggest that caring for a child with a chronic illness or any type of disability or disorder is very stressful. Few investigations in which aspect of raising a child with disability have the greater effect on the family. The aim of this article is to understand in a better way the differential impact of specific diagnoses on family outcomes and to give an idea or suggestion in which clinicians across disciplines can use this knowledge to develop and conduct more individualized evidence based Programme to support the families.

Family outcome in families of child with chronic health related problems: Many researchers have documented the effect of caring for a child with an illness or any type of disorder on both individual outcomes such as mental retardation and dynamic outcomes such as marital satisfaction.

In many comprehensive documented around marital adjustments to a child illness, conclude that parents of disable child felt more distress. In studies founds evidence of both type of positive and negative effect on the marital dynamics.Reichman et al., 2008, p.680) on the downside, for parents, having disable child experience increased stress depending on the type of parents need a break from the role of caretakers. Reichman, Corman, and Noonan (2008) it was mentioned that a child with a disability can have a profound effect on the entire family. Magill-Evan, Darrah, Pain, Adkina and Kratochvil (2001) found that families of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy demonstrated similar scores on family functioning and life satisfaction as families of adolescents without a disability. The 2019 “State of the Education Report for India Children with Disabilities”took into account the 2011 census, according to which there are 78,64,636 children with disability in India constituting 1.7 per cent of the total child population. It was found in report that more boys are disabled than girls.

Effect on the parents and family members – In some studies it was found that parents who are caregivers of disabled child feels sadness, feeling of overwhelming, anxiety, depression, worry, low physical health, mental trauma. It is very difficult to find appropriate and affordable child cares, about work, educating training, having additional children and relying or public support.

Challenges faces by the parents of a child with chronic disabilities          

Accessibility for special needs,Empathy and understanding from others, finding places to go on vocation, Communication.

Data related to families have a disabled child: A total 12.8% children under age 18 in the united states or about 9.4 million children are estimated to have special health care needs.

Implication for the family: There are profound effects on the whole family, siblings, parents, extended and other family members. It can affect all aspect of family function. Here, some pros. are given, or some positive affect on the family:

• Increase family members awareness of their inner strength
• Enhance family cohesion
• Encourage, connection between community groups or religious institutions.

Consequences on the family

Time loss, financial loss and increase costs. Physical and emotional demand, irritation, Mental stress.

Stress of parents with disabled child:

Siblings- lack of support from others way lead family tension, Social- lack of social outings, which can lead to isolation.

Special needs parents often feel anxiety as they navigate their unique journeys. It’s common to be nervous as a new mom. After all, the care and well-being of a tiny infant is completely on our shoulders. Remember that feeling that you could somehow break your new baby if you made a mistake?

It was a nerve wracking experience to worry that you could somehow mess up and do harm to the tiny infant you just brought into this world.  When you are the parent of a special needs child, you never really grow out of that feeling of constant stress and anxiety. Parents of children with disabilities worry and feel overwhelmed that we might not do the right thing for our kids, that we are going to fail them or not be able to save them from harm. 

TIRED OF FEELING

Special needs parents also feel very alone in their unique journeys that are outside the “norm” of typical parenting experiences. Special needs parents and anxiety often go hand in hand

It is a constant mental game we play with ourselves called, “What if….?”

• What if she never learns to talk?
• What if he never makes friends?
• What if she never walks?
• What if he has a seizure and stops breathing?
• What if he can never go to college?
• What if she never gets a job?
• What if no one takes care of him after I’m gone?
• What if she is not safe?
• What if he never stops hitting?
• What if she gets taken advantage of?
• What if he does not make it out of this surgery?

For special needs parents, this list is endless and it is all consuming.

Some times we wake up in a cold sweat wondering what the future holds for our kids.

RELATED: ENCOURAGEMENT AND INSPIRATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS PARENTS

Generalized Anxiety

As special needs parents, there is always an underlying anxiety or fear of the next challenge or hurdle for us to overcome.

We wait in a state of hyper-vigilance ready to take action when there is an issue with our child.

This sense of generalized anxiety that lies just beneath the surface leads to a chronic state of stress and exhaustion.

Conclusion- Child disability brings essential responsibilities and problems for both the child and his family members. There are many programs started by government, NGO’s and other schemes who are funding for the disabled child. It is found that families who have a disable child may increase family bonds and develop the opinion against each other.