Discuss the stressors that can occur in families who have children with significant health or physical disabilities and the supports that can be used to help decrease the stress.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ans:Sources of stress include juggling the demands of the disability and ongoing medical treatment, dealing with uncertainties about the child’s future health and independence, financial strains, lack of respite care, routine changes and disruptions, and overall exhaustion.
Stress can also result from the additional care and daily activities that may need to be performed for the child. Absences from school because of illness, surgeries, and medical treatments may add stress when one of the parents needs to stay home with the child. Day to day, the child may need help with such basic tasks as eating, toileting, and obtaining desired items. Some children will require regular medical treatments at home (such as respiratory physical therapy to decrease respiratory secretions) or at a clinic (such as dialysis). Some students may have terminal and degenerative conditions, which can increase stress.
Despite the added stress, most families are able to manage the demands of having a child with a physical or health disability with the child being a valued, loved, and contributing member of the family. Many factors contribute to the family’s coping ability, including support from concerned others, positive family appraisal, spiritual support, advocacy, positive social interactions, education and information, parental involvement that enhances a sense of control, and consistency in the medical care of the child.