Skip to main content

Fathers of Young Children with Disabilities

Experiences, Involvement, and Needs

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Father Involvement in Young Children’s Lives

Part of the book series: Educating the Young Child ((EDYC,volume 6))

Abstract

While mothers of young children with disabilities have often been targeted in family research, less is known about the experiences and involvement of fathers of these children. This chapter reviews the extant literature from 1995 to 2008 related to the experiences, involvement, and support needs of fathers of young children with disabilities. The review identified three themes around which the literature is discussed, fathers’: (a) experiences, stress, and coping; (b) involvement with their young children with disabilities and their early education programs; and (c) identified needs. Implications and recommendations for future research and practice are provided.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Baxter, C., Cummins, R. A., & Polak, S. (1995). A longitudinal study of parental stress and support: From diagnosis of disability to leaving school. International Journal of Disability, Development, and Education, 42, 125–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bromley, J., Hare, D. J., Davison, K., & Emerson, E. (2004). Mothers supporting children with autistic spectrum disorders: Social support, mental health status and satisfaction with services. Autism, 8, 409–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calderon, R., & Low, S. (1998). Early social-emotional, language, and academic development in children with hearing loss: Families with and without fathers. American Annals of the Deaf, 143, 225–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, B., & Herbert, E. (1997). Fathers: Are we meeting their needs? In B. Carpenter (Ed.), Families in context: Emerging trends in family support and early intervention (pp. 50–61). London: Fulton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, B., & Towers, C. (2008). Recognizing fathers: The needs of fathers of children with disabilities. Support for Learning, 23, 118–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook, R. E., Klein, M. D., & Tessier, A. (2004). Adapting early childhood curricula for children with special needs (6th ed.) Upper Saddle River: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coots, J. J. (2007). Building bridges with families: Honoring the mandates of IDEIA. Issues in Teacher Education, 16(2), 33–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, N. O., & Carter, A. S. (2008). Parenting stress in mothers and fathers of toddlers with autism spectrum disorders: Associations with child characteristics. Journal of Autism &Developmental Disorders, 38, 1278–1291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, P. B., & May, J. E. (1991). Involving fathers in early intervention and family support programs: Issues and strategies. Childrens Health Care, 20(2), 87–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyer, J. W., McBride, B. A., Snatos, A. M., & Jeans L. M. (2009). A longitudinal examination of father involvement with children with developmental delays. Does timing of diagnosis matter? Journal of Early Intervention, 31, 265–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dyson, L. L. (1997). Fathers and mothers of school-age children with developmental disabilities: Parental stress, family functioning, and social support. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 102, 267–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq. (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  • Elder J. H., Valcante G., Won, D., & Zylis, R. (2003). Effects of in-home training for culturally diverse fathers of children with autism. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 24, 273–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elder, J. H., Valcante, G., Yarandi, H., White, D., & Elder, T. H. (2005). Evaluating in-home training for fathers of children with autism using single-subject experimentation and group analysis methods. Nursing Research, 54, 22–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esdaile, S. A., & Greenwood, K. M. (2003). A comparison of mothers’ and fathers’ experience of parenting stress and attributions for parent-child interaction outcomes. Occupational Therapy International, 10, 115–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flynn-Wilson, L. L., & Wilson, P. G. (2004). Partnerships with family members: What about fathers? In E. Horn, M. M. Ostrosky, and H. Jones (Eds.), Young Exceptional Children Monograph on family-based practices (pp. 39–50). Longmont: Sopris West.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gavidia-Payne, S., & Stoneman, Z. (1997). Family predictors of maternal and paternal involvement in programs for young children with disabilities. Child Development, 68, 701–717.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hadadian, A., & Merbler, J. (1995). Fathers of young children with disabilities: How do they want to be involved? Child and Youth Care Forum, 24, 327–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halme, N., Astedt-Kurki, P., & Tarkka, M. T. (2009). Fathers’ involvement with their preschool-age children: How fathers spend time with their children in different family structure. Child & Youth Care Forum, 38, 103–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, M. J., & Lynch, E. W. (2003). Understanding families. Approaches to diversity, disability, and risk. Baltimore: Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hastings, R. P. (2003). Child behavior problems and partner mental health as correlates of stress in mothers and fathers of children with autism. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 47, 231–237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hastings, R. P., Kovshoff, H., Ward, N. J., Espinosa, F. D., Brown, T., & Remington, B. (2005). Systems analysis of stress and positive perceptions in mothers and fathers of pre-school children with autism. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 35, 635–644.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herring, S., Gray, K., Taffe, J., Tonge, B., Sweeney, D., & Einfeld, S. (2006). Behavior and emotional problems in toddlers with pervasive developmental disorders and developmental delay: Associations with parental mental health and family functioning. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 50, 874–882.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hornby, G. (1992). A review of fathers’ accounts of their experiences of parenting children with disabilities. Disability, Handicap & Society, 7, 363–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, V. F., Williams, B. F., & Lepper, C. (2005). Very young children with special needs: A formative approach for today’s children. Upper Saddle River: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U. S. C. §§ 1400 et seq. (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq. (2004).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalyanpur, M., & Harry, B. (1999). Culture in special education: Building reciprocal family-professional relationships. Baltimore: Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konstantareas, M. M., & Homatidis, S. (1992). Mothers’ and fathers’ self-report of involvement with autistic, mentally delayed, and normal children. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 54, 153–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • League, S. E., & Ford, L. (1996, March). Fathers’ involvement in their childrens special education program. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Association of School Psychologists, Atlanta, GA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, E. W., & Hanson, M. J. (Eds.). (2004). Developing cross-cultural competence. A guide for working with children and their families (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, D. J. (Ed.). (1995). Uncommon fathers: Reflections on raising a child with a disability. Bethesda: Woodbine House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moon, M., & Hoffman, C. D. (2008). Mothers’ and fathers’ differential expectancies and behaviors: Parent X child gender effects. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 169, 261–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palkovitz, R. (1997). Reconstructing “involvement”: Expanding conceptualizations of men’s caring in contemporary families. In A. J. Hawkins and D. C. Dollahite (Eds.), Generative fathering: Beyond deficit perspectives. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palm, G., & Fagan, J. (2008). Father involvement in early childhood programs: Review of the literature. Early Child and Development, 178, 745–759.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parette, H. P., Huer, M. B., & Peterson-Karlan, G. R. (2008). Working with persons with developmental disabilities across cultures. In H. P. Parette and G. R. Peterson-Karlan (Eds.), Research-based practices in developmental disabilities (2nd ed., pp. 143–167). Austin: Pro-Ed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parette, H. P., & Petch-Hogan, B. (2000). Approaching families. Facilitating culturally/linguistically diverse family involvement. Teaching Exceptional Children, 33(2), 4–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parette, H. P., & Brotherson, M. J. (2004). Family-centered and culturally responsive assistive technology decision-making. Infants and Young Children, 17(4), 355–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pelchat, D., Lefebvre, H., & Perreault, M. (2003). Differences and similarities between mothers’ and fathers’ experiences of parenting a child with disability. Journal of Child Health Care, 7, 231–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pleck, J. H. (1997). Paternal involvement: Levels, sources, and consequences. In M. E. Lamb (Ed.), The role of father in child development (3rd ed., pp. 66–103). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pleck, J. H. (2010). Paternal involvement: Revised conceptualization and theoretical linkages with child outcomes. In M. E. Lamb (Ed.), The role of the father in child development (5th ed., pp. 58–93). Hoboken: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • President’s Commission on Excellence in Special Education. (2002). A new era: Revitalizing special education for children and their families. Washington: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quesenberry, A., Ostrosky, M. M., & Corso, R. (2007). Skilled and knowledge caregivers: The role of fathers in supporting young children’s development. Young Exceptional Children, 10(4), 11–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quinn, P. (1999). Supporting and encouraging father involvement in families of children who have a disability. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 16, 439–454.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricci, L. A., & Hodapp, R. M. (2003). Fathers of children with Down’s syndrome versus other types of intellectual disability; Perception, stress and involvement. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 47, 273–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roach, M. A., Orsmond, G. I., & Barratt, M. S. (1999). Mothers and fathers of children with Down syndrome: Parental stress and involvement in childcare. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 104, 422–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigue, J. R., Morgan, S. B., & Geffken, G. R. (1992). Psychological adaptation of fathers of children with autism, down syndrome, and normal development. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 22, 249–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rump, M. L. (2002). Involving fathers of young children with special needs. Young Children, 57(6), 18–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, D., & Matson, J. (1998). Fathers as intervention agents for their children with developmental disabilities. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 20(3), 29–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saloviita, T., Italinna, M., & Leinonen, E. (2003). Explaining the parental stress of fathers and mothers caring for a child with intellectual disability: A double ABCX model. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 47, 300–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, J. L., & Morgan, S. B. (1997). Family stress and adjustment as perceived by parents of children with autism or down syndrome: Implications for intervention. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 19(4), 15–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seung, H. K., Ashwell, S., Elder, J. H., & Valcante, G. (2006). Verbal communication outcomes in children with autism after in-home father training. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 50, 139–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shandra, C. L., Hogan, D. P., & Spearin, C. E. (2008). Parenting a child with a disability: An examination of resident and non-resident fathers. Journal of Population Research, 25, 357–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simmerman, S., Blacher, J., & Baker, B. L. (2001). Fathers’ and mothers’ perceptions of father involvement in families with young children with a disability. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 26, 325–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Social Care Institute for Excellence. (2005). SCIE research briefing 18: Being a father to a child with disabilities: Issues and what helps. Retrieved from http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/briefings/briefing18/index.asp. Accessed October 2012

  • Stoneman, Z. (2007). Examining the Down syndrome advantage: Mothers and fathers of young children with disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 51, 1006–1017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turbiville, V. P., & Marquis, J. G. (2001). Father participation in early education programs. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 21, 223–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turbiville, V. P., Turnbull, A. P., & Turnbull, H. (1995). Fathers and family-centered intervention. Infants and Young Children, 7, 12–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Education. (2009). 28th Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/osep/2006/parts-b-c/28th-vol-1.pdf. Accessed October 2012

  • Wang, M., Summers, J. A., Little, T., Turnbull, A., Poston, D., & Mannan, H. (2006). Perspectives of fathers and mothers of children in early intervention programmes in assessing family quality of life. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 50, 977–988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • West, S. (2000). Just a shadow: A review of support for fathers of children with disabilities. Birmingham: Handsel Trust.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hedda Meadan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Meadan, H., P. Parette, H., Doubet, S. (2013). Fathers of Young Children with Disabilities. In: Pattnaik, J. (eds) Father Involvement in Young Children’s Lives. Educating the Young Child, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5155-2_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics