Family Stress and Adaptation to a Special Needs Child

1
Family Stress and Adaptation to a Special Needs
Child
http//www.cll.on.ca/images/membersOne.jpg

• Done By Amada Boudreau, Jessica Caza,
• Shawna Mahoney, and Danelle Wood

2
INTRODUCTION

• 1/5 children between 3 and 17 in Ontario have a
  diagnosable health disorder
• Typically we think of the support the child with
  a disability needs
• This child is part of a family system
• Parents and siblings are often forgotten

3
DEFINITIONS

• Family Systems-theory that the behaviour of an
  individual can be most accurately understood in
  the context of the dynamics of his or her family
•  
• Adaptive Functioning- the ability to cope
  effectively with ordinary life demands, to live
  independently, and to abide by community
  standards. Adaptive functioning is a necessary
  component for defining levels of mental
  retardation

4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

• Common limitations of people with disabilities
• Moving around
• Self care
• Learning
• Memory
• Caregivers
• Immediate family
• Extended family
• Social workers
• Friends

http//www.stlukesmethodist.org/attachments/wysiwy
g/13/iStock_000003376407Medium.jpg
5
SCENARIOS

• James and Mary
• Diane and Dave
• Paul and Rachel
• Rick and Donna
• Holly and Tim

6
PARENTAL STRESS

• Emotional
• Physical
• Financial

http//jeremiahsbackyard.org/images/Jeremiah_Mom_2
006Apr.jpg
7
EMOTIONAL STRESS

• Nobodys Perfect By Nancy Miller
• Learning to cope
• Confusion, fear, anger, guilt, grief, and
  depression
• Reacting
• Adapting to a new life

8
EMOTIONAL ADAPTATION

• Take time for yourself
• Alone time with spouse
• Open communication
• Focus on the positives
• Laughter

http//www.psych.nyu.edu/couples/couple20picture.
jpg
9
PHYSICAL STRESS

• Higher than average stress and depression levels
• Resulting in physical symptoms
• Extreme fatigue
• Headaches
• Chest pains
• Loss of appetite

10
PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS

• Take care of yourself
• Rest
• Eat
• Relax
• Accept offered help

http//www.totalfinancialconcepts.com/files/10023/
grandparents20with20child.jpg
11
FINANCIAL STRESS

• Dependant on parent(s)
• for life
• Require extra help and
• support
• Changing work schedules
• Working less hours

http//www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/06/25/disabili
ties_wideweb__470x461,0.jpg
12
FINANCIAL ADAPTATIONS

• Be informed about benefits
• Make decisions together
• Community subsidies
• Adaptations to the home

http//www.mcpasd.k12.wi.us/kms/Web_Clip_Art/image
s/TIRED.jpg
13
CONCLUSION

• Life changes
• More stress than average parents
• Important to cope and react to new life style
• Take time for each other/selves
• Communicate
• Accept help

14
SIBLINGS

• Attention
• Receiving accurate information
• Healthy childs needs
• Peer/sibling
• relationships
• Support programs

http//las.uh.edu/pep/site-layout/rutherford.jpg
15
ATTENTION

• Time with parents is jeopardized
• Need time with parents to understand the
  disability
• Sibling rivalry
• Unequal discipline
• and expectations

http//www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/UNW/UNW044/u10237
661.jpg
16
ATTENTION ADAPTATIONS

• Arrange for time alone
• Ensure every member participates within the
  family
• Consistency in rules

http//www.cmrcanada.ca/Bedtime.jpg
17
ACCURATE UNDERSTANDING

• Healthy child may over identify with the sibling
  with a disability
• Worry that the disability is contagious
• Afraid to ask questions or report problems
• May grow up denying emotions
• Can develop their own troubles

18
Communicating

• Talk with each child
• Age appropriate information
• Geared toward child's
• concerns
• Allow for questioning
• Explain capabilities

http//www.co.fort-bend.tx.us/upload/images/emerge
ncy _management/preparedness2.jpg
19
HEALTHY CHILDS NEEDS

• Over compensates for the child with the
  disability
• Strive to achieve in areas that are more
  important to the parents

http//www.kidsfirstconsulting.com/images/CLASSMAT
ES.jpg
http//www.gpccrr.org/Images/c04-56_03a.jpg
20
ENSURING NEEDS ARE MET

• Encourage own interest
• Have appropriate expectations
• Praise all achievements
• Encourage older children to pave their own path

http//www.travelweekly.co.uk/blogs/070830-diploma
-scroll.jpg
21
PEER/SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS

• Hurtful comments from peers
• Sibling relationship is
• extremely important
• May feel responsible
• for sibling in adulthood

http//raisingchildren.net.au/verve/_resources/sib
lings_helping.jpg
22
RELATIONSHIP ADAPTATIONS

• Age appropriate knowledge
• How an educator can help
• Promote awareness and acceptance
• Student lead discussions

http//www.headstartfayco.org/img/disability-group
.png
23
PROGRAMS

• Receive fewer support programs than parents
• Parents should research different organizations
• Early Years Centre
• Important for socialization

24
PLANING FOR THE FUTURE

• Consideration for future care
• Community homes
• Appointing a guardian
• Discussing with other children

http//www.ellenorfoundation.org/uploader/writting
.jpg
25
SIBLING CONCLUSION

• Siblings are often forgotten
• Crave attention from parents
• Require appropriate information
• Risk of embarrassment or hurtful comments
• Risk of their own health problems
• Understanding
• Communicating
• Interacting
• Achieving own dreams

26
REFERENCES

• Ahealth. (2004). Children with Disabilities.
  Retrieved October 3, 2008, from http//www.
  athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/disabsibling.html
•  
• Boyse, K. (November 2006). Siblings of Kids with
  Special Needs. Retrieved September 14, 2008, from
  http//www.med.umich.edu/1Libr/yourchild/
• specneed.htm
•  
• Brooks. (2005). Nobodys Perfect. Retrieved from
  http//www.p brooks.com/store/books/miller-143x/in
  dex.htm
•  
• Carlson, L. (2004). Whats Needed by Siblings of
  Special-Needs Children?. Parenting Press.
  Retrieved September 14, 2008, from
  http//www.Parentingpress
• .com/ article /special_needs.html
• CBC. (2008). Mothers of disabled children juggle
  work schedules. Retrieved October 3, 2008, from
  http//www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/09/25/child-
• disabilities.html
•  
• Children with Disabilities Understanding Sibling
  Issues. Retrieved September 16 2008, from
• http//www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders
  /disabsibling.html
• Gurian, A. Siblings of children with special
  needs. Retrieved September 14, 2008 from
  http//www.aboutourkids.org/articles/siblings_chil
  dren_special_needs
• Kutner, L. (December, 2007). When a Sibling is
  Disabled. Retrieved September 17 2008, from
  http//psychcentral.com/lib/2007/when-a-sibling-is
  -disabled/

27
REFERENCES CONTINUED

•  National Center on Birth Defects and
  Developmental Disabilities (2006, June 27).
  Monitoring Developmental Disabilities. Retrieved
  September 13, 2008, from
• http//www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddsurv.htm
• National Information Center for Children and
  Youth with Disabilities (1994). Children with
  Disabilities Understanding Sibling Issues.
  Retrieved September 16 2008, from
• http//www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders
  /disabsibling.html
• Raising children network (September, 2007). Your
  childs disability and your relationship.
  Retrieved September 16 2008, from
  http//raisingchildren.net.au/articles/disabilitie
  s
• _helping_siblings.html/context/789
• Raising children network (September, 2007).
  Helping siblings of children with disabilities.
  Retrieved September 16 2008, from
  http//raisingchildren.net.au/ articles/
• disabilities_helping_siblings.html/context
  /789
•  
• Raising children network (September, 2007).
  Siblings of children with disabilities feelings.
  Retrieved September 16 2008, from
  http//raisingchildren.net.au/articles/disabilitie
  s
• _helping_siblings.html/context/789
•  
• Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (January,
  2008). Adapting a Home for Wheelchair
  Accessibility. Retrieved September 20 2008, from
  http//lifecenter.ric.org/content
• /2246/index.html?topic6subtopic211

28
QUESTIONS?