PARENTING WITH LEARNING DISABILITY

Parenting with Learning Disability

Table of Contents

Introduction2

Significance of the Study2

Objectives of the Study3

Hypothesis3

Literature Review4

Research Methodology5

Ethical Consideration6

References7

Parenting with Learning Disability

Introduction

Disabled parents seem to be at a top-heavy risk of undergoing socio-economic shortcomings. Particularly, disabled parents are more in likelihood to be jobless and living in deprived conditions. Simultaneously, they have extra costs linked with impairment and/or illness which are not adequately met by disability benefits. Studies of the experiences of people with disabilities in significant social events have historically been lacking, even though people with disabilities experience the same life course events as people without disabilities. For example, very little statistical analysis or quantitative data exists on the family experience of people with disabilities (LaPlante, 1996).

This research proposal presents an overview in the arena of parenting among people with disabilities. The proposed study is, particularly, intended to explore the parenting experiences of people with learning disability. Parents with serious mental illnesses are less emotionally available and involved with their children and less positive, encouraging, and sensitive to their children's needs. Children of mentally ill parents are at greater risk of mental illness themselves. The effects of mental illness on parenting may vary for different diagnostic groups, and severity of symptoms and level of community functioning are more strongly related to parenting than a mental illness diagnosis. (Lovejoy et. al., 2000, p. 561-592)

Significance of the Study

There is not an exact figure of parents with learning difficulties, although the figures that are recognized by the health and welfare services are extensively identified to be growing increasingly (Rubenstein, & Russo, 1994; Whitman & Accardo, 1993; Gillberg & Geijer-Karlsson, 1983). It has been observed by Whitman et al. (1986) that an indiscernible and underserved special-needs population is represented by the mentally retarded parent. (p. 18) However, most researchers have the same opinion that numbers of parent with learning disabilities are gradually rising and will most likely go on to do so as a consequence of changing approaches to deinstitutionalization, sexuality, declined segregation and broaden prospects for independent livelihood and community participation. (Rosenberg and McTate, 1982; Haavik and Menninger, 1981) Therefore, this trends more attention of the policy makers and researchers to get more acquaintance with the concerned topic.

Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the study are as under:

To evaluate the parenting style of parents with learning disabilities

To assess the impact of parent with intellectual disability on the psychology of children

Hypothesis

Two hypotheses are proposed to be tested in the study; the hypotheses are derived from ecological model of Feldman (2002). These hypotheses include:

H1: There is an association among social support and style of parenting (hostile, positive, consistent).

H2: There is an association between parent psychological health and child problem behaviours

Literature Review

When a family faces a chronic illness or disability in one of its members, numerous challenges often present themselves and affect all areas of family life. Work or school attendance can be compromised by the condition or the need for ongoing health care. Unanticipated or burdensome health care expenses can compromise a family's financial ...