Article
Parents With Disabilities: A Case Study Exploration of Support Needs and the Potential of a Supportive Intervention
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services
(2019)
Abstract
Due to growing awareness of increased child welfare involvement for parents who have
disabilities and a dearth of current services, the National Council on Disability has called for an
increase in parental supports and programs. Through the exploration of four case studies, this
article highlights the complex parental support needs of parents with disabilities and explores
the potential of a parent-centered planning intervention to strengthen their parental supports.
The case study analysis reveals that parents with disabilities often have a limited number of
informal and formal supports, that sources of informal support for parents with disabilities often
had their own unmet needs, and that the overall support networks of parents with disabilities
were fragile. The case studies show that while parents participating in a parent-centered planning
intervention might not expand their support networks, they often do take steps toward meeting
their self-identified support goals. Implications for practice are highlighted.
Keywords
- person-centered practices,
- parents with disabilities,
- case studies,
- family-centered practice
Disciplines
Publication Date
Summer July 1, 2019
DOI
10.1177/1044389419841172
Citation Information
Sharyn DeZelar and Elizabeth Lightfoot. "Parents With Disabilities: A Case Study Exploration of Support Needs and the Potential of a Supportive Intervention" Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services Vol. 100 Iss. 3 (2019) p. 293 - 304 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/sharyn-dezelar/1/