BURDEN PERCIEVED BY THE PARENTS WITH DIFFERENTLY ABLED CHILDREN

Introduction: The assessment of burden perceived by the parents with differently abled children will provide a further basis of helping parent?s adaptation. This study was undertaken to assess the burden perceived by the parents with differently abled children at selected special schools of Idukki District, Kerala. Method: The present study was an exploratory study of 60 parents whose children are differently abled and students of selected special schools of Idukki. Data were collected by using structured burden scale which is prepared by the researcher. Scale were 3point with 20 statement. Domains were finance, social, emotional, personal and physical. Maximum score were 60.Reliability of tool done by using split half method. . Sample were selected as per the criteria with non- probability purposive sampling technique. Results: Results of this study showed 55% of the parents with differently abled children were having severe burden. Only 13 % were having mild burden. The parents were having burden in all five domains. There is no association with demographic variables and percieved Conclusion: .In the present study majority of parents were having severe burden. Familiarity with coping strategies and the method to use them could balance the social, emotional finance, personal and physical consequences of parents who have differently abled children.