ABSTRACT
This chapter examines two aspects of the child's ecology: firstly, what is known about daily living with a handicapped child, and secondly, attitudes and reactions of family members to the handicapped child. Caring for a mentally handicapped child poses many practical problems, and exacerbates others not directly caused by the child. These include financial strains, housing problems, prolonged dependency in basic care, continuous attention and supervision, and travel problems. Most fathers and mothers perceive father's role in child-care as beginning after the baby stage, play and spending time outside the home. Several studies report the siblings enjoying taking a large role in playing with the handicapped child, and even trying to teach the child. Wilkin found that 18 per cent of fathers of his research sample were unemployed, which was high for the area and for the time. He suggested that long-term paternal unemployment may be one coping strategy adopted by some families.
