Emotional support for parents of children with special needs and disabilities (SEND)
and disabled adults

Parent Carer Wellbeing

This website signposts to emotional support (including counselling) for parent carers of disabled children and adults. It is managed by Dr Joanna Griffin, a psychologist and parent carer. 

Many parents of disabled children or children with additional needs face associated challenges in practical, physical and emotional terms. Sometimes when life doesn’t follow an expected, mainstream, non-disabled path it can make you feel isolated and like you’re the only one going through certain emotions and experiences. Combined with the challenges of navigating complex educational, health and social care systems and fighting for limited support, it is no surprise that at times things can become overwhelming.

The aim of these pages is to provide a virtual home for parents and carers to realise you are not alone. There are many other families also going through similar experiences and feeling complex emotions.  Some of the thoughts and experiences of other families are included under words of wisdom.  Connecting with other parents can help support our emotional well-being.

Look after yourself

Please remember to treat yourself with self-compassion during difficult times. Wellbeing is an ongoing endeavour so try to carve out time that is yours each day, however small it may be, and remind yourself that you are worth investing in.

I use the acronym SPECTRA to refer to the many varied ways in which parent carers can support their own wellbeing.

There are more details on each of these in my book, Day by Day: Emotional Wellbeing in Parents of Disabled Children.

Parent Carer Trauma

The Parent Carer Trauma Working Group has now produced a discussion document to raise awareness of trauma in parents of disabled children. You can read further information here.

Parent Carer Wellbeing Conference

We held a conference focused on parent carer wellbeing in May 2023 in London.

The conference was aimed at parent carers to provide them with information, strategies and tips on looking after their own emotional wellbeing. 

The information is supported by evidence-based research studies and couched in lived experience.  

Workshops focussed on strategies from mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy and self-massage techniques to calm your nervous system.

My Book: Day by Day

My book Day by Day: Emotional Wellbeing in Parents of Disabled Children was published in 2021.  The book can be ordered here or here. For free worldwide delivery please click here. 

I’m delighted to be a Recommended Read in #TheSueAtkinsBookClub.

Organisations and Practitioners

There is information on relevant UK organisations and private practitioners (counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists) who can provide further emotional support if necessary.

We have published guidance for Professionals on ‘Supporting Parent Carer Wellbeing’ here: Guidance for Health Education and Social Care Professionals

We are now also listing Coaches that provide bespoke services to families with a disabled child.

The emotional impact of parenting a disabled child

A Report based on the survey which ran on this website from 2017-8 is available.
A blog on Parent Carer Wellbeing and Self-isolation is available here.

Parent Carer Guilt

A common emotion (but often not talked about) experienced by parent carers is that of guilt.  I recently made a video with Carers Wales on Parent Carer Guilt, including identifying what is appropriate and inappropriate guilt, and the video is available here.  There is also a short exercise to help you look after yourself.

Survey 

The current survey on the emotional impact of parenting a disabled child is now closed. Thank you to everyone who has completed the survey, it is very moving that you are willing to share this with others in a similar situation.