Disability Impacts the Whole Family

As someone who walks the path of both parent and advocate, I often reflect on how the presence of a disability in one child reshapes the entire family experience. A powerful article published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal, “Impact of Child Disability on the Family” by Reichman, Corman, and Noonan, sheds light on what so many of us live every day: the far-reaching and deeply personal effects of raising a child with disabilities.

The article paints a clear picture—families with disabled children are becoming more common due to increased survival rates from medical advances, more accurate and frequent diagnoses (especially of neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD), and policy shifts that promote inclusion. But with these changes comes a new level of complexity for families trying to navigate a system that often feels disconnected and overwhelming.

As a former Special Education teacher and now a parent advocate, I’ve seen this firsthand. While there are more services and resources available than ever before, they’re often siloed, inconsistent, and difficult for families to access—especially in moments of crisis or transition. The burden of locating, coordinating, and advocating for support too often falls squarely on the shoulders of families who are already carrying so much.

The article also calls for better research and policy to fill in the gaps. It argues for integrated systems that recognize the family as a whole, rather than focusing solely on the child’s needs. I couldn’t agree more. In my advocacy work, I focus on helping families not only find the right services, but also use their voices to push for meaningful change. No one should have to fight this hard to be heard.

Ultimately, this article validates what many of us already know: disability affects the entire family—but with the right understanding, support, and systemic change, families can thrive, not just survive. And that’s what we keep showing up for—one conversation, one IEP meeting, one small victory at a time.