Parents of kids with disability more likely to be burnt out, study finds
A major Australian study finds parents caring for young children with disability are twice as likely to say they are in poor health, feeling constantly in demand and lonely.
A recent Australian study has revealed that parents of young children with disabilities are at a much higher risk of psychological distress and poorer health than those without disabled children. The Parenting Today survey, which polled over 10,000 carers, found that parents caring for disabled children were twice as likely to experience psychological distress and 50% more likely to feel their parenting is demanding compared to carers without children with disabilities.
Skye Kakoschke-Moore, CEO of Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA), highlighted the significant consequences of this strain on both parents and their children's wellbeing. In her experience, exhausted parents may be forced to make difficult decisions, such as relinquishing their child into care if no support is available.
The study also found that 48% of parents caring for children with disabilities experienced loneliness, compared to 31% of parents without disabled children. Many reported feelings of frustration, guilt, and a lack of meeting their own expectations of parenting. The increased stress may lead to more irritable, hostile, and aggressive reactions to their children.
Sarah Galea, a Sydney mother of three boys with disabilities, described living in "survival mode" while supporting her sons' complex needs. Despite receiving NDIS-funded therapies, she worries about the future of their support once they transition to the new Thriving Kids program. She highlighted the uncertainty and fear surrounding the changes to the system.
The government is set to divert some families from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to the new Thriving Kids program, which begins in October. This $4 billion program aims to move children with lower support needs into mainstream and community-based supports, while the NDIS continues to focus on those requiring more intensive assistance. However, the transition has created uncertainty for families about whether the new system will provide the necessary support.
Despite high levels of burnout, many parents surveyed were actively seeking information and advice online and participating in parenting or peer support programs. The My Time program, a peer group offering support to parents of children with disabilities, was cited as a valuable resource, providing a sense of belonging and hope for the future.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
