FAMILY LIFE CYCLES OF FAMILIES WITH A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY

Апстракт

Family life cycles represent developmental stages marked by changes in family
structure, roles, and responsibilities. Families with a child with a disability face unique
challenges that may prolong, shorten, or entirely exclude certain stages. This paper
examines the experiences of these families, from the newborn stage to the elderly family
stage.
In the newborn phase, parents experience intense emotions such as shock, sadness,
and uncertainty due to the disability diagnosis, facing additional responsibilities
like medical visits and early interventions. This often leads to social isolation and strain
on the marital relationship. In the preschool phase, children with disabilities exhibit
slower development and greater dependency, prolonging parental responsibilities and
complicating the transition to school education due to limited inclusivity. In the school
phase, families face challenges in selecting an appropriate school, administrative barriers,
and the need for individualized education plans, while social barriers further hinder
inclusion. In the adolescent phase, the need for autonomy is impeded, causing emotional
difficulties. In the launching and empty nest phases, parents remain in an intensive
caregiving role, experiencing anxiety about their child’s future and a lack of support.
Systemic support, including inclusive education and support networks, is crucial for
improving the quality of life for these families.