5. Parenting children with special needs Flashcards
Research has explored the psychological implications of families raising children with special needs, and the findings are
mixed
some studies on parents/carers and siblings of children with special needs suggest that they experience
range of strong emotions, heightened stress and lower quality of life
other studies have found that families raising children with special needs are not
merely coping, but are thriving
special care and attention go into planning family routines and activities when there is
a child with special needs
One of the challenges of raising children with special needs is the
pressures that it can bring to the parenting relationship
pressures that it can bring to the parenting relationship
the extra costs of treatment, equipment, and practical support
Parenting is easier when personal needs for
intimacy, companionship, work achievement, leisure and time alone are being met
Having a child with special needs can make it difficult for parents to find
time for the needs of other children in the family
Some of the challenges faced by siblings of children with special needs include
Reactions from the public;
Feeling the need to be the ‘perfect’ child to compensate for their sibling with special needs;
Taking on more roles and responsibilities at home, including caring for the sibling with special needs;
Feeling isolated from their sibling with special needs; may be unable to play with or receive reciprocal affection.
many siblings of children with special needs also experience positive growth, such as:
Increased maturity;
Greater self-control;
Empathy for others
Acceptance and compassion towards others with differences.
what is signposts ?
A program that aims to equip parents with skills to manage or prevent difficult child behaviour, encourage appropriate behaviour and teach new skills. Delivery of the program is available in groups and individually face-to-face, through the telephone and online modes.
Incredible Years Training for Parents
A series of programs targeting parents of high-risk children and/or those displaying behaviour problems. The key skills targeted are parenting known to promote children’s social competence and reduce behaviour problems (e.g effective praise and limit-setting), parent interpersonal skills (e.g. problem-solving between adults, effective communication), and
Parenting approaches to promote children’s academic skills (e.g. parental involvement in setting up homework routines, and building collaborative relationships with teachers.) There are parent program protocols for use as a prevention program or a treatment program. Program variants exist for parents of young children with autism spectrum disorder or with language delays.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
A program that emphasises improving the quality of the parent-child relationship through skill-building and promoting positive parent-child interaction. It was originally developed for young children with conduct-disordered behaviour and includes the use of a one-way mirror and ‘bug in the ear’ system for communicating to the parents as they play with their child.
Program adaption is available for physically abusive parents with children aged 4-12.
The Triple P Positive Parenting Program
A multilevel system of parenting and family support strategies designed to prevent social, emotional, behavioural, and developmental problems in children by enhancing their parents’ knowledge, skills, and confidence. The program has five intervention levels of increasing intensity to meet each family’s specific needs. Program variations are available for parents of young children with developmental disabilities (Stepping Stones Triple P), for parents at risk of maltreating their children abused (Pathways Triple P), and parents of children with a chronic illness (Positive Parenting for Healthy Living).
Tuning in to Kids (TIK)
Tuning in to Teens (TINT)
A program that focuses on parents’ emotion coaching skills - how to recognise, understand and manage their own and their children’s emotion, so as to establish better relationships with their children. It aims to promote emotional competence in parents and children, prevent problems from developing in children, and when present, reduce and treat the child’s emotional and behavioural problems. A program specifically for dads has also been developed (Dads Tuning in to Kids).
