Published Paper Details:

The presence of a child with an intellectual disability necessitates considerable adjustment on the part of parents and other family members. While some families demonstrate greater resilience in adapting to this reality, others encounter significant challenges. This study investigates and compares the needs of parents--both mothers and fathers--raising children with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities. Conducted at the State Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SIRTAR), Rohtak, Haryana, the research employs a purposive sampling method involving 24 parents of children aged 5 to 25 years, categorized by IQ levels (mild: 50-70; moderate: 35-50). Using the NIMH Family Needs Schedule and an interview-based approach, the study explores parental needs across cognitive, material, social, and emotional domains. Findings reveal that mothers consistently reported higher needs than fathers, particularly in areas related to child management and emotional support, while fathers expressed greater needs for vocational planning and access to government services. The study underscores the importance of early, individualized, and family-centered interventions that address both child-specific and broader familial needs. It concludes that assessing and responding to parental needs from the family's perspective is critical to improving developmental outcomes and enhancing parental capacity.