Lived experiences of parents of children with developmental disabilities: Basis for a pastoral care training program

Abstract

This study explored the lived experiences of parents of children with developmental disabilities as a basis for pastoral care. The participants of the study were 6 mothers and 4 fathers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome (DS), and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They were asked about the challenges they have encountered raising and caring for a child with a developmental disability; how they cope with the situation of having to raise a child with a developmental disability; the strategies they used in coping with having children with disability; their insights and experiences and lessons they had learned, and shared with parents with the same situation; and the suggestions they gave for church pastors/ministers and churches to help families in handling and dealing with children having developmental disabilities. The findings were as follows: Parents commonly experienced grief, worry, and disbelief upon receiving their child’s diagnosis; pressures on handling a child's changing behavior; stress in juggling multiple responsibilities; no time for respite; and difficulty dealing with sibling conflicts were the challenges they had encountered in having a child with a developmental disability. The parents were able to cope because of the moral and social support from family, friends, and other parents of children with special needs; spiritual support; and acceptance of reality of the plight of their children; and they believed that pastoral care must be intentional; hence, this study proceeded on planning and creating a manual for Pastors because a Pastor is the spiritual leader of a faith community.