Parents must take on multiple roles of therapist, teacher, playmate, and advocate. They may also struggle with behavior problems, greater susceptibility to illness, sleep disorders, and medical emergencies. It can also strain relationships with spouses and other family members. The additional cost of raising a child with a disability can cause financial strain. Single parents face even greater challenges.
Most parents spend many hours both on the phone and taking their child to appointments.
With current cutbacks in services, they may face long waiting lists, or depending on where they live, having to travel substantial distances. Some needed services are not available. It is usually an even larger issue for parents of children with special needs. Although some childcare centres will do everything they can to accommodate children with disabilities, others will refuse them. While the issue of childcare disappears for most children as they get older, it remains a key issue for children with disabilities over 12 who still need care.