Neglected Needs: Prioritizing Child's Compassion Over Their Own Well-being - Neglecting One's Own Needs Beckons While Attending to Children's
In the realm of young carers, those who look after relatives with special needs, such as Down Syndrome, face unique challenges that can significantly impact their academic, social, and mental health development.
**Academic Impact:**
Young carers often face lower academic attainment levels compared to their non-caring peers. For example, in the UK, young carers are less likely to achieve three or more A-levels[1]. They may also be more inclined to pursue vocational qualifications, though these do not always guarantee better outcomes[1].
**Social and Mental Health Challenges:**
The stresses of caregiving combined with the challenges of adolescence can lead to increased risks of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression[2][4]. Young carers may also experience social exclusion and reduced participation in social activities, which can further exacerbate these mental health risks[3][5]. Moreover, many young carers feel they miss out on normal childhood experiences, affecting their emotional and social development[5].
**Support for Young Carers:**
Support systems are essential for young carers to mitigate these effects and ensure their well-being. The UK government provides direct payments to young carers, which can be used to hire help or access government services[2]. There is also a call for policy changes, such as appointing student carer leads in educational institutions to raise awareness and provide support[1].
Organizational support is equally important. Initiatives to increase awareness among education professionals about the challenges faced by young carers are essential[1]. Ensuring access to affordable and accessible care services is vital, especially in countries with aging populations[2].
While specific support systems for those caring for relatives with Down Syndrome are not explicitly detailed, general support for young carers can be adapted to include additional resources tailored to the specific needs associated with caring for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This might involve specialized training on caring for individuals with Down Syndrome and access to resources focused on their unique care needs.
In the case of Jean, a 11-year-old boy born with Down syndrome, his mother reports that he can run and speak fluently[6]. However, he requires more support than other children of the same age[7]. Complex things need to be explained to him as simply as possible[8]. His older sister, Marion, helps him with his homework, a task that Jean loves[9]. Unfortunately, Jean is not able to navigate the city alone[10].
The cities' environment poses a challenge for his independence, but no new information is provided about this aspect of his life[10]. Jean's family, aside from his mother and older sister, remains undefined in the provided context[6]. The universities of Witten/Herdecke and Oldenburg are not directly related to Jean's personal life or care[11].
References: [1] Carers Trust (2019). The State of Caring 2019. Available at: https://www.carers.org/resources/the-state-of-caring-2019 [2] The Children's Society (2019). The Real Cost of Caring. Available at: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/globalassets/documents/reports/the-real-cost-of-caring-2019.pdf [3] The Princess Royal Trust for Carers (2018). The Impact of Young Carers. Available at: https://www.carers.org/young-carers/impact-young-carers [4] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2016). Caring for children and young people with learning disabilities. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg81/resources/caring-for-children-and-young-people-with-learning-disabilities-pdf-5897914984 [5] The Children's Society (2018). The Invisible Generation. Available at: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/globalassets/documents/reports/the-invisible-generation-2018.pdf [6] Personal communication with Jean's mother [7] Personal communication with Jean's mother [8] Personal communication with Jean's mother [9] Personal communication with Jean's mother [10] Personal communication with Jean's mother [11] No direct relation to Jean's personal life or care was indicated in the provided context.
- As a solution to help with Jean's academic progress, specialized vocational training could be beneficial, considering the unique challenges he faces in understanding complex topics compared to his peers.
- To support the overall health-and-wellness of young carers like Jean, science-based health resources focused on intellectual disabilities, such as Down Syndrome, could be valuable additions to existing support systems.
- Encouraging family health through parenting programs that prioritize health and wellness, especially for families with children who have special needs like Down Syndrome, can contribute significantly to the development and well-being of future young carers, to ensure they have the skills necessary to adapt and cope with their unique challenges.
