Parental Supports for Parents with Disabilities: The Importance of Informal Supports

Abstract

This study explored the parental supports needed and received by 30 parents with disabilities. Participants reported a wide range of parental supports, with the top needed supports being informal supports, parenting classes, housing, child care, and respite care. Participants greatly preferred informal supports, which they found to provide emotional support and be flexible, over formal supports, which they found overwhelming and confusing. The findings are important for child welfare workers working with parents with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR], Copyright of Child Welfare is the property of Child Welfare League of America and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of )