Discussion: Impact on Family Functioning

There are multiple types of exceptionalities with some being more severe than others. For example, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy are types of exceptionalities that affect the cognitive, behavioral, and physical functioning of a child or adolescent. Children and adolescents with learning disorders and pervasive disorders such as autism spectrum disorders or Asperger syndrome may have difficulty with social interactions and often require academic remediation. No matter the exceptionality, it can have a dramatic impact on family functioning. For example, stress levels can increase between spouses, the physical demands of caring for children and adolescents with exceptionalities can be exhausting, and managing difficult behaviors of a child or adolescent can take a toll on all members of a family. Parents may feel guilt, remorse, sadness, and grief over having a child with exceptionality.