Collaborative Strategies for Supporting the Well-Being of Fathers of Young Children With Complex Disabilities

Abstract

184 YOUNG EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Vol. 25, No. 4, December 2022 https://doi.org/10.1177/10962506211006060 DOI: 10.1177/10962506211006060 journals.sagepub.com/home/yec Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions © 2021 Division for Early Childhood Shortly after the birth of his second daughter, Mr. Malone learned that she had CHARGE syndrome, a genetic condition often associated with deafblindness. During the first years of Caroline’s life, she had multiple surgeries to address a range of medical issues, including being born with one kidney, cardiac abnormalities, and difficulties breathing and swallowing. Caroline is deafblind and delayed across multiple domains, including language, cognitive, and motor development. She has received early intervention services in her home since birth. When she soon turns 3 years old, she will begin attending preschool, possibly at a School of the Deaf. Mr. Malone works full time in the building and construction industry with rotating shifts. His wife had worked as an office manager prior to Caroline’s birth, but now stays at home to provide full-time care to Caroline and her older sister, Gretchen. The early intervention primary service provider, Mrs. Odom, working with Caroline told Mr. Malone’s wife that he should be taking American Sign Language (ASL) classes, so that he can communicate with Caroline and support her language development. Mr. Malone would do anything for his daughters, but when will he find 1006060 YECXXX10.1177/10962506211006060Young Exceptional ChildrenSupporting Fathers / Pancsofar et al. research-article2021