Raising a child with profound intellectual disabilities – a young mother’s perspective

Abstract

The article analyses the impact of the child’s diagnosis of profound intellectual disability on the mother and the whole family, highlighting the process of adaptation, changes in daily life and the need for flexibility. It presents the stages of the parents’ experience of the crisis situation, from uncertainty and non-acceptance, through aggression and negotiation, to solidarity and acceptance of the new reality. The article also focuses on the characteristics of people with profound intellectual disabilities, highlighting the specificity of perceptual, attention, memory and speech processes in these individuals. It discusses various aspects of family life, such as changes in routines and plans, social support, and the need to adapt to the child’s new needs. In addition, the paper presents the specifics of raising a child with profound intellectual disabilities, highlighting the importance of an individual educational plan, various forms of therapy and psychological support for the family. This paper also presents the perspective of a young mother in the context of raising a child with profound intellectual disabilities – the mother’s challenges in the daily care of the child, including emotional, social and practical aspects.