Family Processes and Disability
Project Description:
Most children with disabilities live with their families. Many continue to live with their parents, siblings, or other family members into adulthood. The Report of the Governor?s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Home and Community-Based Services (2001) noted that at least 60% of adults with disabilities live at home with their families. The majority of research focusing on families and disability has studied mothers; the important roles of fathers and siblings have been largely overlooked. In Georgia, the Blue Ribbon Report estimates that there are 11,500 adults with developmental disabilities living with family caregivers over the age of 60; nationally, the number of aging caregivers is expected to triple to over 1.5 million by 2030. There is a need to better understand how to support aging families in their care giving roles. In addition, it is important to better understand the experiences and needs of culturally diverse families.
The study of families is one of the most active and vibrant areas of research related to people with disabilities. Family research at IHDD/UCEDD has been ongoing for well over a decade. These studies focus on understanding the strengths of families of individuals with disabilities across the life span.
These family studies focus on: 1) the strengths of fathers of children with disabilities, 2) the service needs and life circumstances of undocumented Mexican-American families served by early intervention, 3) parenting behaviors and family contexts that encourage positive relationships between children with disabilities and their siblings, and 4) strengths/needs of older families who have provided lifelong care for an adult with a disability.
Findings will provide policy makers with information as the state refines its early intervention services to better support Latino families, further develops its family support efforts, and enhances planning for aging caregivers.
Keyword(s):
families, minorities, latino, parenting
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
