The Challenges Faced by Parents and Their Expectations towards Their Special Needs Children

Parents of children with special needs encounter multifaceted challenges that significantly impact their emotional well-being, caregiving responsibilities, financial stability, and access to support systems. Despite growing research on this topic, limited studies have explored these experiences within the Malaysian context, particularly in relation to parents’ expectations for their children’s future. This qualitative study aims to address this gap by investigating the challenges and expectations of parents raising children with special needs. Using an existential-phenomenological research design, 20 parents were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through online semi-structured interviews, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. To ensure credibility, researcher reflexivity, member checking, and inter-coder reliability were incorporated. Five key themes emerged regarding challenges: (1) Emotional Strain, (2) Caregiver Burnout, (3) Financial Difficulties, (4) Inadequacies in the Special Needs Support System, and (5) Lack of Public Awareness. Additionally, three themes were identified concerning parental expectations: (1) Fostering Independence in the Future, (2) Facilitating Adaptation to Society, and (3) Promoting Physical and Mental Well-being. Findings highlight the urgent need for policy improvements, enhanced support networks, and financial assistance programs tailored to families of children with special needs. While this study provides valuable insights, limitations include its focus on parental perspectives without triangulation from educators or healthcare professionals. Future research should incorporate multiple stakeholders to develop a more comprehensive understanding of support mechanisms for families navigating special needs caregiving.