Parents of Children with Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD): A Study of Informal Caregivers in Kerala and Maharashtra

Abstract

The struggles and hardships that parents undergo in their life while exercising their parental duty to a child with intellectual disability is immense. Parents referred in this paper as primary caregivers and informal caregivers. This paper highlights the role that parents perform in their life as informal caregivers of children with IDD. The challenges they face while they execute their role as caregivers varies different aspects like physical, psychological, social, relational and economical. It was a descriptive study with quantitative research methodology by using standardized scale and semi-structured interview schedule. The study found that financial crisis was crucial among parents because in many cases bread winner of the family was single. Even though there were challenges, all the participants were satisfied in doing their service. A humanitarian approach and altruistic attitude towards children with IDD are more visible in this study.