A Support Group for Parents of Children with Hyperkinetic Disorder: An Empowerment Model

Abstract

Parents face significant stresses and problems when their child suffers with a disabling condition, such as the hyperkinetic disorder. Empowering parents, by providing a facilitative social system, can help enhance their competence in coping with their child’s disability. The use of a support group setting format for this purpose is described. Perceived benefits included: (i) emotional support in sharing experiences with a peer group,(ii) reduction of the sense of isolation,(iii) provision of information on the management and services regarding the hyperkinetic disorders and (iv) better relations with their children because of increased knowledge.