Parenting as perceived by mothers raising children with severe motor and intellectual disabilities during early childhood.

Abstract

 This study aimed to clarify the realities of parenting as perceived by mothers of children with severe motor and intellectual disabilities during early childhood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four mothers whose children lived at home. The data were analyzed using a qualitative synthesis approach (the KJ method). The findings revealed six themes representing the realities of mothers’ parenting experience : (1) Realizing growth: Meeting others through physical stabilization, (2) Inducing a child’s reactions to growth: Best plan for the risk of seizures, (3) Searching for reactions to communicate: Focusing on facial expressions, voices, and eye contact, (4) Coming to terms with family: Difficulty in coordination, (5) Facing the child: Realization of love, and (6) Children’s future: Anxiety about life. These findings highlight the need to support mothers of children with severe motor and intellectual disabilities by promoting mutual understanding between mothers and their children, while also creating environments that allow children to express their intentions.