Raising a child with developmental disabilities presents unique and often lifelong challenges. From teaching basic self-care to managing behavioural and sensory difficulties, parents face different situations that others may never experience. This results in deep emotional exhaustion and physical symptoms such as headaches, ulcers, chronic pain, and fatigue, particularly among mothers, who often handle major part of caregiving responsibilities. Over time, these physical ailments further reduce their ability to cope.
To understand these experiences, a National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela Research team that included Dr. Ramakrishna Biswal, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, along with his senior research scholar Mr. Abhijit Pathak, surveyed 400 parents of children with conditions like autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy, and multiple disabilities. By using culturally adapted tools and advanced statistical techniques, the NIT Rourkela team found that a parent’s physical health plays a key role in shaping how stress impacts their body, mood, and relationships.
The study that revolved around investigating how the continuous demands of caregiving impacts parent’s physical health, found that while physical health partly explains how stress affects parents’ health, it does not account for challenges such as financial strain.
Speaking about the key findings of the research, Dr. Ramakrishna Biswal, said, “Disability rights are rightly acknowledged, yet the invaluable contributions of caregivers often remain in the shadows. Caring for a child with developmental disabilities should not rest solely on parents, it is a shared responsibility of family, neighbors, and society. Caregiving is a demanding journey, but with non-judgmental support and wholehearted cooperation from trusted individuals and communities, caregivers can find strength, relief, and validation. Let us recognize their rights and ensure they, too, enjoy a life of dignity and fulfillment.”
In India, these challenges are often intensified by social stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access to specialised care. Many parents feel isolated from their communities and are unable to receive support from extended family. Healthcare, therapy, and respite services remain limited in many regions.
The researchers used the biopsychosocial model, which considers health to be shared by the complex interaction between physical, psychological, and social forces. This model enables the researchers in recording the interrelated effects of stress and how physical health operates both due to stress and as a factor that deepens its impact.
The researchers recommend integrating caregiver health screening and stress management into paediatric disability services. They also advocate for community-based “one-stop” support centres where families can access medical, mental health, and financial support in one place.
At its core, the study is a reminder that supporting a child with developmental disabilities means supporting the entire family. When caregivers are overwhelmed, isolated, and physically unwell, the child’s care suffers too. But with the right systems, including affordable healthcare, inclusive communities, and targeted mental health support, these families can be empowered to thrive.
The study is published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development.
