3 Strategies to Support Dads of Children with Developmental Disabilities

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. It provides a great opportunity to reflect on how you can better support dads of children with developmental disabilities (DDs).

Dads of children with DDs face unique challenges in caregiving, advocacy, and navigating complex systems of care. By using the following strategies, you can help strengthen their families and improve the lives of their children.

1. Create Tailored Support Systems

Provide resources that empower them and reduce the isolation they can experience in their unique parenting journey. Dads of children with DDs can benefit from:

• Support groups and parent mentors to connect with other dads of children with DDs.
• Connecting with community resources like respite care, parenting skills training, and mental health services.
• Assistance in becoming effective advocates for their children’s needs.
• Having staff trained on effective father-inclusion tactics, ensuring that services are inclusive of all parents’ roles.

2. Recognize and Raise Awareness of Their Unique Strengths

A study in the Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities found that dads of children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) in general were:

• More spiritual.
• Tolerant of differences in other people.
• Likely to have improved relationships with their spouses.
• Able to prioritize what should be valued in their lives.
• Capable of expressing understanding to others.

Due to biases and stereotypes, human service providers might find it difficult to relate to dads, including those of children with DDs. By raising awareness of their unique strengths, staff can relate to and connect with these dads.

3. Include Dads in Care Discussions

Studies have shown that dads of children with DDs often feel excluded or overlooked, and that their perspectives are undervalued by human service providers. Consequently, these dads can benefit from:

• Advocating for themselves and engaging in discussions about their children’s care.
• Having their contributions acknowledged and validated.
• Being provided with clear and accessible information about their children’s growth and development progress.
• Attending appointments and voicing their opinions about their children’s treatment plans.

By recognizing the unique challenges and strengths of dads of children with DDs, you can create more inclusive and effective support for them and their families.

How can you create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for dads of children with DDs? In addition to the guidance in this article, National Fatherhood Initiative®’s Father Engagement Certificate™ is an affordable and flexible training opportunity to help you reach and effectively serve dads with different backgrounds and experiences.

What is a simple way you can provide support for any dad who feels isolated?