Parents of disabled children burn-out too: counseling parents of disabled children on stress management

Abstract

This paper explores the problems faced by parents of disabled children with respect to stress-related factors. Parents of disabled children experience tremendous stress in the responsibilities and problems that they face. Counselors who become involved with parents of disabled children need to be capable of assisting these parents in developing and implementing stress management programs. The counselor needs to teach the parents effective ways of reducing stress, in their everyday activities centered around the disabled child. This paper will discuss some of the circumstances that cause stress and suggest procedures for training parents in becoming aware of the stressors and learning to manage them. The paper will also discuss promoting self-awareness and developing coping skills for parents of the disabled children. Counselors are encouraged to use these and other stress management techniques in helping parents become more effective in managing the stressors and developing appropriate coping skills.