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Family consulations of families of children with cmd, cp and development problems When faced the illness, the family must adapt to considerable changes in the roles, structures and models of connection between its members. The way they integrate these changes into the family depends on the views of the family and its organization. The practical and emotional needs in the everyday life often becomes subjected to the illness and therefore to parents' feelings of how well they will manage to cope with their special needs child. If some families are strong enough to cope with the situation, by discovering new ways of realisation, for others their children's illness is accepted as a huge strain contributing to considerable emotional and interpersonal problems. Therapeutic programmes aim to provide contexts within which the illness is reflected upon the family and is assessed in a comparatively focused way - some of the parent's fears, pains and angers may be shared within the group, so that the family members could have the opportunity to re-assess and adopt a better way to face their child's illness. The specialists' attention, regardless of the fact with whom they work (separate members of the family or not), must in all cases be directed in ways in which the views and behaviours are tied in within the family. This is important because the lack of control characteristic to the illness may block the family's capacity for problem solving and the ability to cope with different situations. The family is informed that if there were to be any breaches of confidentiality it would only be in case there were serious threats to the child's security. Parents are encouraged to participate as much as possible to the sessions. Even when working with one person the specialist is focused on the positioning of this individual within its family. The role of the family consultant is based upon the help to relieve the family of any psychological stress caused by the illness. This involves the creation of an environment within which the family may want to discuss their feelings in order to find alternative and efficient ways to improve their life. Although sometimes the specialist can perform the role of the educator, explaining the principles of psychological functioning, their fundamental task remains to listen and contribute to the conversation in terms of helping parents to better assess and understand their child's illness. The sessions' topics are aimed at deepening and broadening the knowledge in this specific area, reformulating, defining the way families view their experiences. In the process of working closely with the family, the aim is to stimulate the ability to maintain their feeling of competency and identity, without having to stress the impact of illness and physical or mental impairments. Efficient parenthood is important, since the patient is a child. Due to parental fear of burdening the child hence increasing their discomfort or pain resulting in avoiding any restraints in their upbringing, therefore influencing their behaviour. The aims of the family therapist must include helping the family, as the illness changes its identity, restricts its capacity of knowing its own recourses and of introspection of all ups and downs brought by the illness. It is very important for all family members to have a personal space for reflection in respect to the past, the present and the future. |
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Specialized Hospital "Santa Sofia". |
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