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Family Functions
Each of the family functions is affected by every member of the family whether the influence is positive, negative, or neutral.
Affection
Exchanging verbal and physical affection and unconditional love
Attachment between and among family members is a priority and helps deepen emotion connections between them. Different families show affection in different ways that may or may not depend on their culture. Highlighting a child with a disability's strengths and progress has made parents show more affection towards their child.
Self Esteem
Parents of children with disabilities may have issues with their self esteem because they often have feelings of guilt. Parents that have experienced poverty, substance abuse, and mental health issues are also known to have lower self esteem. Ways to improve a family's self esteem include:
Spirituality and Religion
Spirituality
Spirituality is how people come to understand the purpose of their lives, how they respond to the sacred, and how they perceive the connection between themselves, others, and the universe. Research has shown that families increase their spirituality after having a child with a disability. It is important to not make assumptions about a family's beliefs. A teacher should also be open to different families' interpretations of their child's disability.
Religion
Many families find emotional support from their religious communities and have their children practice those religions as well. Having an intellectual disability does not mean that those individuals have unclear conceptions of God.
Economics
Educators should know about available financial resources and where to refer families for assistance with finances. Disabilities can cause for excess costs to families. A teacher should take time to understand how disabilities affect families financially. Often times a parent does not take on a job because of the need to take care of their child. Teachers should provide families with general information about different financial benefits or refer them to get more information.
Daily Care
Daily care is meeting physical and health needs. There are many issues that are associated with daily care such as eating and dealing with medical equipment. Families often work together to perform the needed roles to take care of each others daily needs like cooking, cleaning, laundry, transportation, etc.
Socialization
Parents of children with disabilities put a strong priority on social interactions and friendships for their child. Having the support of friends can greatly benefit an individual with a disability. Parents can provide social opportunities for their children to interact with others. Ways a teachers can enhance a child's social experiences/friendships include:
Recreation
Different families have different views on the roles that recreational activities should play in a child's life. A teacher can help get children involved in recreational activities by identifying the activities and settings that most interest a child/family, identifying activities that go along with the child's strengths, providing supports and services, and promoting the child's ability to participate in activities by teaching new skills and reinforcing competence.
Education
Education is usually a priority for families of every kind. Parents of children with disabilities are often highly involved with the education of their child. Many parents respond negatively to professional overemphasis on educational needs.
Each of the family functions is affected by every member of the family whether the influence is positive, negative, or neutral.
Affection
Exchanging verbal and physical affection and unconditional love
Attachment between and among family members is a priority and helps deepen emotion connections between them. Different families show affection in different ways that may or may not depend on their culture. Highlighting a child with a disability's strengths and progress has made parents show more affection towards their child.
Self Esteem
Parents of children with disabilities may have issues with their self esteem because they often have feelings of guilt. Parents that have experienced poverty, substance abuse, and mental health issues are also known to have lower self esteem. Ways to improve a family's self esteem include:
- Affirming the family's strengths and recognizing the positive effects the family has had on the child
- Letting them know they've made a difference
- Encouraging the child's strengths and having them identify their preferences, make choices, and express their interests
Spirituality and Religion
Spirituality
Spirituality is how people come to understand the purpose of their lives, how they respond to the sacred, and how they perceive the connection between themselves, others, and the universe. Research has shown that families increase their spirituality after having a child with a disability. It is important to not make assumptions about a family's beliefs. A teacher should also be open to different families' interpretations of their child's disability.
Religion
Many families find emotional support from their religious communities and have their children practice those religions as well. Having an intellectual disability does not mean that those individuals have unclear conceptions of God.
Economics
Educators should know about available financial resources and where to refer families for assistance with finances. Disabilities can cause for excess costs to families. A teacher should take time to understand how disabilities affect families financially. Often times a parent does not take on a job because of the need to take care of their child. Teachers should provide families with general information about different financial benefits or refer them to get more information.
Daily Care
Daily care is meeting physical and health needs. There are many issues that are associated with daily care such as eating and dealing with medical equipment. Families often work together to perform the needed roles to take care of each others daily needs like cooking, cleaning, laundry, transportation, etc.
Socialization
Parents of children with disabilities put a strong priority on social interactions and friendships for their child. Having the support of friends can greatly benefit an individual with a disability. Parents can provide social opportunities for their children to interact with others. Ways a teachers can enhance a child's social experiences/friendships include:
- Include socialization goals in the child's IEP
- Use peer modeling to increase a child's social network
- Encourage participation in extracurricular activities
Recreation
Different families have different views on the roles that recreational activities should play in a child's life. A teacher can help get children involved in recreational activities by identifying the activities and settings that most interest a child/family, identifying activities that go along with the child's strengths, providing supports and services, and promoting the child's ability to participate in activities by teaching new skills and reinforcing competence.
Education
Education is usually a priority for families of every kind. Parents of children with disabilities are often highly involved with the education of their child. Many parents respond negatively to professional overemphasis on educational needs.
Application: As a future educator it is important that I use this information to work with families and supporting their various roles. I will use the strategies suggested to get children involved in recreational activities because I find that to be very important and popular among individuals with disabilities. I also find socialization to be very important and beneficial to individuals with disabilities so I will use the strategies given.