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Questions and Answers
What is the first psychological reaction to disability as mentioned?
Which stage involves blaming oneself for the situation?
What is associated with the anxiety reaction to disability?
Which stage is described as the emotional acceptance of a disability?
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During which psychological reaction is there a defensive denial of the existing problem?
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What is a common negative reaction of siblings towards a child with a disability?
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Which approach is recommended for professionals when speaking to parents about their child's disability?
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What psychological effect might parents experience as a result of their child's disability?
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What type of information is essential for parents to receive regarding their child’s condition?
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What is a significant challenge for clinicians when informing parents about a child's lifelong disability?
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What emotional reactions do parents commonly experience when they first learn about their child's disability?
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During which stage do parents feel fear, anxiety, anger, and guilt regarding their child's disability?
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What is a common feeling that consumes parents in the Confrontation Stage - II?
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In the Accommodation Stage, what do parents begin to redevelop?
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What factors determine the problems a family with a child with disability will experience?
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What do positive attitudes towards disability in families typically result in?
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Which of the following is NOT a common issue faced by families with children with disabilities?
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What financial impact may occur when families have a child with disabilities?
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What emotional reaction may parents initially experience upon learning about their child's disability?
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How might family employment be affected when a child has a disability?
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Which of the following health problems can arise from the stress experienced by parents of children with disabilities?
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Which emotional issues can parents experience due to the stress of their child's disability?
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What might families encounter when attempting to explain their child's disability to others?
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What financial decisions may parents have to make regarding employment due to caregiving responsibilities?
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Which of the following best describes the connection between parental stress and health problems?
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What kind of mental processes might be affected in parents due to the stresses related to their child's disability?
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What type of health issues can accompany emotional disorders in parents of children with disabilities?
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Study Notes
Being a Parent of a Child with a Disability
- Parents may experience feelings of frustration, guilt, and despair when their child is diagnosed with a disability.
- Parents may struggle to accept their child's disability and ask questions they may not be able to answer.
- Parents may feel a sense of responsibility for their child's disability and blame themselves for it.
Psychological Reactions to Disability
- The initial reaction to a disability diagnosis is often shock.
- Shock can be explained as a numbing response to a sudden, serious physical disorder.
- This shock is then followed by anxiety, where individuals begin to understand and accept the seriousness of the situation.
- To cope with anxiety, people may enter a denial stage, refusing to acknowledge the existence of the problem.
- Depression can be a reaction to the perceived loss of the body part or function.
- Parents may internalize their anger, blaming themselves for the disability.
- In the acknowledgment stage, individuals cognitively accept the disability and redefine themselves with their limitations.
- Finally, individuals enter an adjustment stage where they emotionally accept the disability and adapt their behaviors and integrate into social life.
Reactions of Parents to Disability
- Families go through stages of accepting a child’s disability: shock, denial, pain, and depression.
- Each stage involves various reactions: numbness, shock, adjustment disorders, insomnia, memory problems, loss of appetite, emotional variability, fear, anxiety, anger, guilt, vulnerability, sensitivity.
- Parents may experience loss and grief not only for their child's disability but also for the changing family system.
Avoidance Stage
- Parents experience numbness, shock, adjustment disorders, insomnia, memory issues, loss of appetite, and emotional swings.
- They tend to deny the reality of their situation.
- They struggle to understand the reasons behind their child's disability.
Confrontation Stage
- Parents may experience fear, anxiety, anger, and guilt.
- Guilt is a common reaction, stemming from a sense of responsibility for their child's well-being.
- Parents may blame themselves and their choices for the disability, leading to low self-esteem and irrational thoughts.
Accommodation Stage
- Families begin to rebuild the lost harmony between parents.
- Parents learn to adapt to the changes in their lifestyle, self-perception, economic security, beliefs, and losses.
Problems faced by Families with Children with Disability
- Families may experience differences in their reactions to and coping with the disability.
- These differences are shaped by the family's attitudes towards the disability.
- Positive attitudes lead to caregiving and loving behaviors, while negative attitudes lead to difficulties.
- The stress, anxiety, and depression levels of parents increase due to the disability, leading to potential conflict between spouses.
- Several factors contribute to the family's problems: the child's character, the level of social support, and the family's economic status.
- Disability requires changes in caregiving routines, sometimes creating dependence and negative psychological and social effects.
- Parents face a number of problems: financial, psychological, health, and social issues.
Financial Issues
- Families face financial burden due to the expenses of caregiving, education, materials, etc.
- Parents may have to give up job opportunities to be present during services for their child or choose part-time jobs to provide care.
Psychological Issues
- Parents experience shock, denial, emotional distress, and difficulty explaining the disability to others.
Health Problems
- Parents can experience physical and emotional problems, including high blood pressure, changes in appetite, nervous system disorders, headaches, and insomnia.
- Psychological issues include difficulty concentrating, distractedness, forgetfulness, excessive daydreaming, anger, crying, fears, withdrawal, inconsistency in behaviors, aggression, and depression.
Social Issues
- Parents face negative reactions from society due to their child's disability.
- Siblings of children with disabilities may experience shame, protective behaviors, rejection, and guilt, leading to tension and conflict within the family.
The Role of Professionals in Helping Parents in Adaptation
- Professionals should offer holistic support and guidance to families.
- This includes providing information:
- on diagnosis, intervention, daily caregiving, equipment, future planning, explaining disability to others, health services, and the impact on the family.
- Professionals need specialized skills to support parents who may be angry, disbelieving, and frustrated.
Criteria for a Positive Approach from Professionals Toward Parents
- One-to-one interviews: Provide honest, realistic, and positive information about the child's diagnosis and prognosis in a private setting.
- Open-ended questions: Recognize that each parent interprets situations differently and identify their specific needs.
- Clear and precise information: Provide honest, factual information about the child's present and future needs.
- Empathy: Understand the parents' emotions and respond with empathy to facilitate healthy coping.
- Support and resources: Acknowledge unrealistic expectations and connect parents with resources, such as support groups, to help them adjust.
- Acceptance and sharing: Support parents through their grieving process and encourage them to share their experiences and connect with others. This encourages acceptance and a sense of belonging.
Attitudes and Acceptance of Children towards Peers with Disabilities
- Peer relations are critical for individuals with disabilities to feel included in social life.
- Teachers often characterize bullying as violence, rejection, harassment, and pressure.
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Description
This quiz explores the emotional and psychological experiences of parents raising a child with a disability. It delves into the feelings of frustration, guilt, and despair that may arise following a diagnosis. Additionally, it outlines common psychological reactions such as shock, anxiety, denial, and depression, helping to foster understanding and support for affected families.
