Challenges and Supports for Employed Parents of Children and Youth with Special Needs

Problem Statement and Motivation. Over the past two decades, heightened international attention has been given to employed parents who are raising children and youth with disabilities (Heymann, 2006; Rosenzweig & Brennan, 2008, Lewis, Kagan, & Heaton, 2000). Estimates of U. S. households raising children with special needs range from 9-21% (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008; Wang, 2005). These parents are engaged in exceptional care responsibilities which include spending time arranging for health care appointments, meeting with special education personnel, providing special supports for young people transitioning to adulthood, and providing home health care supports (Roundtree & Lynch, 2006; Earle & Heymann, 2012). Workforce engagement is lessened for many of these parents, who may cut back on employment because of heavy care responsibilities, or lose their jobs due to competing family demands (Brennan & Brennan, 2005; Powers, 2003). Our presentation will provide a systematic review of the current literature on employed parents providing exceptional care and answer the questions, “What challenges are faced by employed parents of children and young people with disabilities?” and “What supports are necessary so that they can meet the special needs of their families and the responsibilities of their jobs?”