1. What is Stress?
Do...
Take action.
Think positive.
Watch your diet.
Learn to say "No."
Have fun!
Pamper yourself.
Ask for help.
CopingWithStress
Don't...
Expect the worst.
Overeat or use drugs.
Allowother to take advantage of you.
Put off dealingwith stress.
Try to be a "superperson."
Bottle up your emotions.
Be afraid to ask for help.
Stress Management for Parents of
Special Needs Children
Types of Support
Causes of Stress for
Parents of Special
Needs Children
The increasedamount of
time and energy spent
parenting their children-
often with with nobreaks.
The added financial burden
ofmedicalexpenses,
therapy,andtreatment.
Coping with confusing
emotions and learning to
accept their child's
condition.
Feeling "cut-off"from
others.
Not having enoughtime
with spouse/partner dueto
the amount oftimespent
parenting.
Balancing the needs of
other childrenin the
household.
Utah Behavior
Services
• 189 S. State St.
Suite 222
Clearfield, UT
84015
• UtahBehaviorService
s.com
Utah Easy to
Love
• 499 N. 200 W.
#19 Bountiful,
UT 84010
• UtahEasy2Love.org
Family Support
Center of Ogden
• 3340 S.
Harrison Blvd.
Suite 110
Ogden, UT
84403
• fscogden.org
Allies with
Families
• 261 E. 300 S.
Suite 210
Salt Lake City,
UT 84111
•allieswithfamilies.org
“Stress is thebody’s physical, mental, andchemicalreaction tocircumstances that frighten,
excite,confuse, endanger, or irritateus. Handledwell, stress is a friendthat strengthens us for
the next encounter. Handled poorly, orallowed to get outofhand, stress can becomeanenemy
causing diseases like hypertension,ulcers, depression, phobias and compulsive obsessive
behavior.” -Dr. Chloe D.Merrill, Professor ofChild andFamily Studies atWeber StateUniversity

Parents of special needs children are:
 More stressedthan parents of
either typical or chronically ill
children.
 At higher risks for depression due
to stress.
 Experience more feelings of
isolation.
 More overwhelmed by the
demands associatedwith a special
needs child.
 Oftenfeel “trapped” by their roles
as parents.

Gupta, V. B. (2007). Comparison of Parenting Stress in Different
Developmental Disabilities. Journal Of Developmental & Physical
Disabilities, 19(4), 417-425. doi:10.1007/s10882-007-9060-x

Gestwicki, C. (2014). Home,
School, and Community
Relations. Boston: Cengage
Learning.
The dos and don’ts of stress management. (2013). GoToSee.
Retrieved from http://www.GoToSee.co.uk
Personal
•Good
Attidude
•Self-care
Family
•Emotional
•Quality
TIme
Social
Support
•Support
Groups
•Financial
Aid
Dąbrowska, A., & Pisula, E. (2010). Parenting stress and coping styles in mothers and fathers of pre-
school children with autism and Down syndrome. Journal Of Intellectual Disability Research, 54(3),
266-280. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2788.2010.01258.x