Caregivers' Experiences of Raising Children with Intellectual Disability in Umgeni Municipality, Kwa-Zulu Natal

Thembelihle Dlungwane, University Of KwaZulu-Natal
Nombulelo Hadebe, University Of KwaZulu-Natal

About 12% of the population of people with disability have IDs, which range from mild to profound and are cared for by their families. Raising a child with ID brings significant life challenges to the entire family. The study aims to explore caregivers' experiences of raising children with ID. Sixteen caregivers raising children with an ID were purposefully selected using a qualitative phenomenological research design. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct in-depth one-to-one interviews using a thematic approach to analyse data. The majority of caregivers face great economic difficulties. Most caregivers have an inadequate support system; they live in isolation without a social life. Religion, support groups, family support, counselling, and traditional healing are the commonly used coping strategies. The multiple challenges experienced by caregivers underscore the need for inter-departmental collaboration to develop community support structures and strengthen policies and interventions.