title: Raising a child with special needs: the perspective of caregivers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Among Canadian children 14 years or younger, an estimated 202 350 (3.7%) are currently diagnosed with a disability. Because of the amount of care and attention children with disabilities require, parents of these children may also experience tribulations. For the sake of this article, tribulations refer to difficulties. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine the lived experiences of caregivers of children with disabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative approach, more specifically phenomenology, was utilized to guide this research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight participants (5 biological mothers, 2 adoptive mothers, and 1 father) were recruited from a facility in Southern Ontario that serves children with physical and developmental disabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Background questionnaires were completed, and 1-on-1 semistructured interviews were conducted with 8 caregivers of children with disabilities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The following themes emerged: (1) life as a caregiver, (2) impact on siblings as perceived by the parents, and (3) changes as a result of having a child with disabilities. This article addresses only the theme "life as a caregiver."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the research study revealed the lived experiences of raising a child with special needs by specifically focusing on the lives of caregivers. Despite the many difficulties encountered, caregivers identified positive aspects associated with raising a child with special needs and the coping mechanisms that assist them in managing their stressors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research study provides valuable information regarding the lived experiences of caregivers of children with special needs. It may assist other individuals in similar situations by providing comfort knowing that they are not the only ones encountering this journey. It may also allow them to look at their life story with a more positive outlook. It can offer these individuals with coping mechanisms that may assist them in dealing with their stresses. Lastly, it contributes to research that examines the lives of caregivers of children with disabilities by relying on the voice of the caregivers.
authors: Author Affiliations: PhD student (Ms Redquest), Masters of Science student (Ms Reinders), Professor (Drs Bryden and Fletcher), and Associate Professor (Dr Schneider), Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Brianne K
authors: BK
authors: Redquest
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Reinders
authors: Pamela J
authors: PJ
authors: Bryden
authors: Margaret
authors: M
authors: Schneider
authors: Paula C
authors: PC
authors: Fletcher
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult