Rola ojców we wspomaganiu rozwoju dzieci z wieloraką niepełnosprawnością

Abstract

Hitherto prevailing research on the situation of families raising children with multiple disabilities has concentrated primarily on the problems of children, mothers and families as wholes. The pedagogic role of fathers has been practically unrecognized. They have usually been described as „invisible”, „absent”, „unapproachable” and „unavailable”. Help offered to families raising children with multiple disabilities has also been oriented mainly towards the needs of mothers. Specialists have contacted with mothers more often, more willingly and more regularly than with fathers. They have organized trainings for mothers and provided them with advice necessary for the rehabilitation of their children. The aim of the article is to document the thesis that engaging fathers into the process of supporting the development of a child with multiple disabilities is beneficial not only for the child but for the father and the entire family as well. Firstly, the article characterizes the emotional problems of fathers and their experiences. Then, it presents strategies of fathers’ behaviour in relations with a disabled child. The second part of the article describes selected methods of preparing fathers to take care of a child and to participate in his or her rehabilitation.