Introduction
The first mention of developmental disability (DD) at the state legislative level is given in the last century. In 1975, the government signs “The DD Act,” ruling those conditions that affect the possibility of human development. They cause varying degrees of functional limitations regarding learning, group behavior, language, communication, socialization or mobility of a person. The most common conditions in the world include Down syndrome, autism or cerebral palsy. It is important to note that in families with a special child, the environment and his psychological well-being play a significant role in development. Since the main influence on a child with special needs is the family, the situation in the house should be appropriate. Family therapy in such cases helps parents and other family members accept what happened and work through the grief. Thus, attending support groups and treating the problem through family therapy can create a healthier environment for a child with special needs to develop more successfully.
Treatment for a Developmental Disability
The question of family therapy and the creation of support groups for families with similar problems has arisen relatively recently. The origins of support for families with special needs date back to around the 1950s after the end of World War II (Hanna, 2018). Medicine throughout the country was improving, the economy was getting stronger, and the entire territory was marked by the struggle for civil rights. These factors in the political, economic and social spheres set the stage for the emergence of family therapy and support groups.
Later, a wider movement to help families began, which became a turning point in therapy. In the 1960s, more active participation of parents with children with disabilities in the social life of society began. There was an association of parents who saw their goal as helping their children with developmental disabilities. They proclaimed the idea that their children are just like everyone else and do not need to be taken away for treatment in specialized institutions. This parental movement was the first to address the authorities, educators and psychologists with the problems of segregation of children with disabilities from society and the lack of psychological support. They put forward the idea that a society needs to create a system that would allow them and their children to receive the necessary assistance.
Often, society strongly repelled and did not accept children with special needs. This interfered with their socialization, and put moral pressure on all family members. Living in a limited society contributed to the emergence of many psychological problems in parents, including depression. This situation meant that the morally unstable family environment impaired the child’s capacity for rapid development. Parents moved away from their children and did not pay them due attention.
Often, society strongly repelled and did not accept children with special needs. This interfered with their socialization, and put moral pressure on all family members. Living in a limited society contributed to the emergence of many psychological problems in parents, including depression. This situation meant that the morally unstable family environment impaired the child’s capacity for rapid development. Parents moved away from their children and did not pay them due attention. Thus, the idea of family therapy was born, aimed at making children feel supported within the family. Moreover, long-term limitations in society led psychologists to create support groups. As part of this, families could share their experiences and support those who have just encountered a child’s illness.
Evidence-Based Practice
Family therapy and the creation of support groups seem to be an effective method for children with disabilities and their environment. Many researchers agree that they should fully characterize the changes that have occurred in the client (McGoldrick & Hardy, 2019). It should be seemed not only immediately by the end of therapy, but protractedly – in the follow-up in three areas: somatic, psychological and social. This assessment should be made both from an objective position – preferably by an outside researcher, and not by the psychotherapist himself, and from a subjective one – by the patient himself.
However, family therapy has been shown to be successful in teaching parents how to communicate with a child with special needs. First of all, this is due to the fact that many couples are not ready for the appearance of such a child. As a result, they do not have a prepared base for his upbringing (McGoldrick & Hardy, 2019). Therapy is aimed at facilitating and helping family members understand the characteristics of the child. Moreover, therapy establishes the necessary environment for the child in which he can develop. Support groups, which help parents understand the mission of raising a special child, have a similar effect. Married couples share experiences and comfort each other when difficulties arise. As a result, people feel relieved and their thought of grief recedes.
Conclusion
Thus, family therapy is aimed at helping couples with a child with developmental problems. The main reasons for the emergence of this direction in therapy and support groups is the long-term separation of families with such children from the main part of society. Moreover, they could not share their grief and problems with others. This issue was resolved with the emergence of family therapy, which aims to help people raise a special child.
References
Hanna, S. M. (2018). The practice of family therapy: Key elements across models. Routledge.
McGoldrick, M., & Hardy, K. V. (Eds.). (2019). Re-visioning family therapy. Guilford Publications.