A study by NIT Rourkela highlights the immense stress faced by caregivers of children with developmental disabilities like autism and ADHD. Researchers found that chronic caregiving leads to physical ailments, financial strain, and emotional exhaustion. The study recommends integrating health screening and stress management into disability services. Experts urge society to share the responsibility of supporting caregivers for their well-being.
"Disability rights are rightly
acknowledged, yet the invaluable contributions of caregivers often remain in
the shadows." – Dr. Ramakrishna Biswal
While there are
rights for people with disabilities, parents or caregivers are often faced with
stress that can significantly affect their physical, mental, and financial
conditions, finds a study by researchers from the National Institute of
Technology (NIT) Rourkela, on Thursday.
Key Points
1 Study
reveals chronic stress impacts caregivers' physical and mental health
2 Financial
strain worsens challenges for parents of disabled kids
3 Researchers
propose one-stop support centres for medical and financial aid
4 Social
stigma and lack of awareness intensify struggles in India
The study suggests providing parents
or caregivers raising a child with developmental disabilities like autism, and
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with proper support systems for
their well-being.
Published in the Asia Pacific Journal
of Social Work and Development, the team investigated how the continuous
demands of caregiving impact parent’s physical health, ultimately affecting
their overall quality of life.
The research showed that raising
children with developmental disabilities presents unique and often lifelong
challenges. It includes teaching basic self-care to manage behavioural and
sensory difficulties, that can result in deep emotional exhaustion and physical
symptoms such as headaches, ulcers, chronic pain, and fatigue, particularly
among mothers.
Importantly, the study found that
while physical health partly explains how stress affects parents’ health, it
does not account for challenges such as financial strain.
The researchers recommended
integrating caregiver health screening and stress management into paediatric
disability services.
They also advocate for
community-based “one-stop” support centres where families can access medical,
mental health, and financial support in one place.
“Disability rights are rightly
acknowledged, yet the invaluable contributions of caregivers often remain in
the shadows. Caring for a child with developmental disabilities should not rest
solely on parents, it is a shared responsibility of family, neighbours, and
society,” said Dr. Ramakrishna Biswal, Associate Professor, Department of
Humanities and Social Sciences, NIT Rourkela.
The team surveyed 400 parents of
children with conditions like autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and multiple
disabilities.
In India, these challenges are often
intensified by social stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access to
specialised care.
Many parents feel isolated from their
communities and are unable to receive support from extended family. Healthcare,
therapy, and respite services remain limited in many regions.
"Caregiving is a demanding
journey, but with non-judgmental support and wholehearted cooperation from
trusted individuals and communities, caregivers can find strength, relief, and
validation. Let us recognise their rights and ensure they, too, enjoy a life of
dignity and fulfillment," Biswal said.
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