סדנה קבוצתית להורים לילדים עם צרכים מיוחדים – התערבות במקום העבודה

Abstract

Parenting children with special needs is accompanied by unique challenges that influence parents’ mental health and well-being. A significant hurdle of parenting children with special needs is in the field of work and career advancement. Parents who keep their jobs report high levels of stress in the workplace. Evidence on workplace interventions based on Peer Support Program models shows that these groups can provide support, foster a sense of belonging, increase identification with the peer group, and create a strong parent community. These are the goals of the program called #ComeAsYouAre Workshop. Sixteen Microsoft Israel employees who are parents of children with special needs participated in the program. The program included nine hybrid group sessions. Each session dealt with a different topic concerning life's ups and downs and working as a special parent, the creatation of support systems, receiving the diagnosis, and how to deal with siblings of children with special needs. The group met once a week for ninety minutes, during working hours, with the knowledge and support of each participant’s personal manager. Results show that participants shared that the #ComeAsYouAre Program contributed positively to their workplace participation and in other areas of life. The program can be used as a model for other organizations that aspire to introduce diversity and inclusion content into their workplace, creating an impact and supporting employees who are parents of children with special needs.