Availing Services for Developmental Disabilities: Parental Experiences from a Referral Center in Developing Country.

Authors:
Address: Child Development Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi, India, drmonicajuneja@gmail.com.
Journal:

Publication:

abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To identify the problems faced by parents of children with Developmental Disabilities in Availing rehabilitative Services and to find their satisfaction level.

METHODS:

This study was carried out at a Child Development Clinic (CDC) located in Northern India. Children with developmental disabilities, who were availing services at CDC for at least last 3 mo and had at least 3 follow-up visits, were enrolled. A questionnaire pertaining to the socio-demographic profile, problems faced in availing services and satisfaction level was filled by the parents of the enrolled children.

RESULTS:

During the study period, 161 parents filled the questionnaire. 77.6% had some problems in getting the services, the major being difficulty in commuting (50%) and financial constraint (21.7%). More than 80% parents use public transport to reach CDC with 19% travelling more than 50 Km. 29.8% had difficulty in bringing their child to the clinic, either due to severe behavioral problems or physical disability. However, majority of the families were well satisfied with the services as 95% of them graded their satisfaction level at 3 or more on the scale of 0-5.

CONCLUSIONS:

Parents of children with developmental disabilities face many problems in getting rehabilitative services. They travel long distances, face hardships in carrying their child, and lose their day's earnings, apart from spending time and money for their child's therapy. However, most of the parents are well satisfied with the services.

Related Articles
Meeting the needs of parents around the time of diagnosis of disability among their children: evaluation of a novel program for information, support, and liaison by key workers.
Pediatrics. 2004
Meeting the needs of parents around the time of diagnosis of disability among their children: evaluation of a novel program for information, support, and liaison by key workers.
Rahi JS, Manaras I, Tuomainen H, Hundt GL. Pediatrics. 2004 Oct; 114(4):e477-82.
Family pediatrics: report of the Task Force on the Family.
Pediatrics. 2003
Family pediatrics: report of the Task Force on the Family.
Schor EL, American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on the Family. Pediatrics. 2003 Jun; 111(6 Pt 2):1541-71.
Parents' evaluation of developmental status: how well do parents' concerns identify children with behavioral and emotional problems?
Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2003
Parents' evaluation of developmental status: how well do parents' concerns identify children with behavioral and emotional problems?
Glascoe FP. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2003 Mar; 42(2):133-8.
Review Injury prevention for children with disabilities.
Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2002
Review Injury prevention for children with disabilities.
Gaebler-Spira D, Thornton LS. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2002 Nov; 13(4):891-906.
Review Children with disabilities: a longitudinal study of child development and parent well-being.
Monogr Soc Res Child Dev. 2001
Review Children with disabilities: a longitudinal study of child development and parent well-being.
Hauser-Cram P, Warfield ME, Shonkoff JP, Krauss MW, Sayer A, Upshur CC. Monogr Soc Res Child Dev. 2001; 66(3):i-viii, 1-114; discussion 115-26.

To top • Home

TraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

The contents within traveldoctoronline are presented only for informational purposes and cannot substitute for professional health care or any other medical treatment.All users of this website with health problems should be oblige always to consult their medical doctor before starting any treatment.