Family environment of children with specific learning disabilities:<b> </b>Implications of parent-mediated home interventions in family-centred social work practice

INTRODUCTION: Family relationships can be very challenging, and raising a child with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) can create even more stress for a family. While a young person’s problems may seem most noticeable at school, they quickly become a family affair. What happens in the family affects each child, and what happens with each child affects the family. METHODS: The study objective was to determine the factors impacting relationship, personal growth and system maintenance and change in families having children with SLDs using the in-depth interview (lasting for an hour or two) method. The sample consisted of 10 mothers of children with SLDs belonging to special education centres and special schools in South Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, selected through a purposive sampling procedure. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse and code texts relating to the study objective. After completing the coding for each data set, the codes were reviewed again to identify the sub-themes. FINDINGS: The analysis revealed that the family’s living experience, emotional climate, way of overcoming conflicts, showing care and appreciation, self-enhancement, spending quality time, parenting style, family structure, strengths and challenges and good practices are some of the factors impacting relationship, personal growth and system maintenance and change in families having children with SLDs. CONCLUSION: The study emphasises the need for parent-mediated home interventions focusing on improving the family environment of families having children with SLDs.