They are apparent on the individual plane because the disease restricts the child's normal function and activity. Several studies have demonstrated a noticeably elevated incidence of behavioural disturbances among handicapped children. Effects are noticeable on the family, because the disease is a strain on parent-child relations, on family routines, and also on other children in the family. Some children experience pain, suffering, and fear every day. Apart from direct involvement with the sick child, the family's entire life is transformed.
Everyday care demands greater consideration from other members of the family.
Perhaps one of the parents has to give up working or change jobs in order to be able to look after the child or to move closer to caring resources. Ordinary social activities like going to the cinema, travel, and socialisation may have to be reorganised or abandoned. Certain prolonged diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and asthma, involve acute exacerbations demanding hospital care. Some of these intensive medical interventions can be planned in advance, but others take the form of sudden crises. Siblings of handicapped children also run the risk of psychosocial problems because frequently they are left outside the immediate focus of parental attention.