Parental Reactions to Having a Child With Special Healthcare Needs

Families of children with different disabilities or chronic health conditions may experience similar emotions. Therapists can support parents if they can recognize the parents’ emotional reactions and respond with support, empathy and education. The World Health Organization defines a disability broadly as an impairment in body structure or function, an activity limitation and/or a participation restriction in society. Chronic illness/condition and disability are terms that are frequently used interchangeably. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Maternal Child Health Bureau uses children with special healthcare needs to describe children who have or are at risk for developing chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions that require services beyond those usually required by children.

The goal of this continuing education program is to familiarize therapists with parental reactions to having a child with special healthcare needs and how to support those parents. After you study the information presented here, you will be able to —

 

 

Gannett Education is an approved sponsor by the New York State Education Department of continuing education for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants from 10/21/09 to 10/21/12.

 

This activity is provided by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Accredited Provider #GED012010TPTA2012004 and meets continuing competence requirements for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure renewal in Texas for the period of 1/1/10 through 12/31/12. The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE.

 

Gannett Education is recognized by the Physical Therapy Board of California as an approved reviewer and provider of continuing competency courses for the state of California.

 

This course has been approved as meeting the continuing education requirements for PTs and PTAs by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association (approval no. 12S0100 for 11/29/11 to 11/29/12), the Florida Physical Therapy Association (approval no. CP110017860 for 01/01/11 to 12/31/11, CP120018033 for 01/01/12 to 12/31/12); the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association for Class 1 Continuing Education Requirement (approval no. 4108 for 12/19/11 to 12/18/12); the Pennsylvania Board of Physical Therapy (approval no. PTCE002823 for 01/10/12 to 12/31/12); and the New Jersey Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (approval no. 177-2012 for 02/01/12 to 01/31/14). Approval of this course does not necessarily imply the Florida Physical Therapy Association supports the views of the presenter or the sponsors.

 

This course has been approved by the Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 0.1 CEU for 12/19/11 to 12/19/15 and by the Nevada State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 0.1 units of continuing education for 12/12/11 to 07/31/13.

 

The Illinois Chapter Continuing Education Committee has certified that this course meets the criteria for approval of Continuing Education offerings established by The Illinois Physical Therapy Association (approval no. 437-4123 for 01/01/12 to 01/01/13). According to the Rules for the Administration of the Illinois Physical Therapy Act (section 13460.61) published by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant applying for re-licensure in Illinois can earn a maximum of 50 percent of their required continuing education hours from self-study. The hours awarded of this course are designated for self-study CE credit.

 

Other states may accept this course for meeting their CE requirements. Check with your state association or board.