Reference no: EM133184945

Question: According to White and Hastings (2004), it is important for parents with children with developmental disabilities to reach out to some form of informal support, such as from other family members and friends. This additional support is positively related to increased parental well-being. In regards to the child''s age, Hastings et al. (2005) saw no significant differences in parental coping strategies based on age. There may be more stress for parents as the child gets older when thinking about their future and overall ability to live an independent life. This stress may be highlighted as the child gets older and more deficits appear in the child. When a child is young it may be easier for parents to be hopeful about their child''s progress in reaching developmental milestones, however this may quickly fade with increased age of the child. Mothers and fathers cope differently with having a child with a disability.

Hastings et al. (2005) saw that mothers are more likely to use active avoidance coping and problem focused coping strategies than fathers. Parental finances may also add more stress into the family and the marriage. Having a child with a disability may cause one parent to be a stay at home parent or work part time while the other parent becomes the main financial resource. Parents may argue about who takes the child to various appointments and may argue about who does not have to take them to the appointments. Many times parents of children of disabilities may feel "stuck" or defined by their child''s disability. They may feel like they have less time for themselves or less time for leisure/preferred activities.

They may feel like their lives constantly revolve around the child which may create even more stress. It is important that professionals provide additional support for these families and assure them that they are not defined by the disability and that they should not feel guilty for wanting to take a break from the day to day stressful routine.