Recognising fathers: the needs of fathers of children with disabilities

Abstract

In this article, the authors aim to develop a better understanding among practitioners of the issues faced by fathers of children with a learning disability, and suggest how schools can involve the parents who are regarded by many as ‘hard to reach’. They recontextualize the roles and perceptions of fathers in the light of outcomes from the recent ‘Recognising Fathers’ report published by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities. Following an introduction to Government policy and literature relating to fathers, the outcomes of semi‐structured interviews conducted with 21 fathers in the course of the ‘Recognising Fathers’ study are summarized in terms of the emotional impact, the roles and responsibilities, the impact on fathers’ paid employment, support and father–practitioner interaction. The article concludes with practical suggestions for how practitioners might meet the needs of fathers in their own schools and provide them with an effective support network.

Universal Breadwinner Versus Universal Caregiver Model: Fathers' Involvement in Caregiving and Well‐Being of Mothers of Offspring with Intellectual Disabilities

“…Parents undertake the role of caregiving to offspring with intellectual disabilities usually for their entire lifetime. Research related to parents' caregiving often focuses on mothers instead of fathers (Carpenter & Towers ; de Falco et al . ; Saloviita et al .…”

Openness and avoidance – a longitudinal study of fathers of children with intellectual disability

“…). Some fathers, however, also wish to become more involved in child care, and ask for accommodation and flexibility from service providers and employers in order to facilitate their greater involvement (Carpenter & Towers ).…”

Fathers of children with autism: perceived roles, responsibilities, and support needs

“…limited verbal communication and deficits in social behaviour) that might be expected to have an impact on members of their families (Meadan, Halle, & Ebata, 2010). Although a few researchers have investigated fathers' involvement (Turbiville & Marquis, 2001) and the reported needs of fathers of children with disabilities in England (Carpenter & Herbert, 1997;Carpenter & Towers, 2008) there is limited information about the perceived roles and needs of fathers of children with ASD and other disabilities in the USA (Meadan et al, 2013). Researchers have reported that fathers of children with ASD have different experiences (e.g.…”

“…There is limited information about the experiences and roles of fathers of children with disabilities. Carpenter and Towers (2008) noted that researchers have described fathers as 'hard to reach', 'the invisible parent', and the 'shadow'. Turbiville and Marquis (2001) stated that 'fathers [are] frequently left out of the family' (p. 223) and most often mothers are the parents who are involved in the decision-making process related to their children with disabilities.…”