Grandma's hands: Parental perceptions of the importance of grandparents assecondary caregivers in families of children with disabilities

This study examines parental perceptions of the importance of grandparents as providers of routine care to children with disabilities and the impact o f such assistance on parental well-being. Data are drawn from a survey and follow-up interactive interviews. Findings of the survey indicate that: 1) grandparents are a common source of weekly assistance-significantly more co mmon than other relatives or friends and neighbors; 2) where grandparents p articipate, the number of other sources of support is also higher; and 3) h elp from grandparents has a positive, while the number of other sources of help has a negative, relationship to parental ability to maintain a positiv e emotional outlook and to avoid physical exhaustion. Findings of the inter active interviews suggest that: 1) grandparent participation can promote pr ide and "normalized attitudes" by helping grandparents to get to know the c hild with a disability on an intimate basis; 2) when grandparents do not pa rticipate, parents may feel the need to manage the information given to and the emotional responses experienced by grandparents who have not had a cha nce to get know and love the child through frequent, direct contact; and 3) parents are very concerned that if grandparents themselves begin to need h elp due to increased age and disability, they will not ask for it because o f fear that parents are already overburdened by the unusual demands of thei r parenting roles.