The mental health is a crucial aspect in the well-being of children with disability and neurological disordersespecially due to the specific risk factors they face, such as social isolation, family stress and psychological comorbidities. Laura Piñero, psychologist with health accreditation and Family Therapist in the Office of the Want Foundationexplains that children in this situation often face barriers that can seriously affect their emotional and social development if they do not receive adequate support.
“The risk factors that can affect the mental health of children with disabilities are multiple and are related to individual, family and social environment aspects”, he points out. Social exclusion, integration difficulties and discrimination can cause anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, problems that, without early intervention, limit children’s progress and well-being.
According to Piñero, family well-being is a “key protective factor” that favors the emotional development of the child. Citing Salvador Minuchin, he highlights that a cohesive environment with good communication helps the child feel understood and valued, thus strengthening their resilience in the face of everyday challenges. “The family not only offers emotional support, but also a stable framework where the child can feel understood and valuedwhich reduces the risk of isolation or low self-esteem.” Furthermore, it ensures that an adaptive family, with defined roles and that encourages the independence of each member, contributes to creating a safe environment that reduces the impact from external factors such as discrimination or lack of resources.
Main challenges
Among the most frequent problems, Piñero mentions social isolation, which arises when children face barriers to participating in social and school activities, generating feelings of loneliness. In addition, it points out the family stress derived from the emotional and economic burden of care, and discrimination, which can profoundly affect the child’s self-esteem. “The negative perception and social stigma towards disability can lead to experiences of bullying, discrimination and marginalizationwhich negatively impacts the child’s emotional health,” he says. Piñero also emphasizes limited access to specialized serviceswhich aggravates the risk of developing mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, by lacking the necessary supports.
Comprehensive support for a positive emotional environment
Piñero recommends a combination of strategies to help families manage stress and foster a positive environment. Among them, the importance of self-care and the search for support networkswhether among family, friends or groups of parents with similar experiences, which helps alleviate the feeling of isolation. Furthermore, he points out that Family therapy offers tools to improve communication and emotional managementthus strengthening the family bond. It also suggests the use of relaxation and mindfulness techniques, which allow parents to stay calm and handle difficult situations effectively.
In her approach, the psychologist highlights that a positive emotional environment helps the child develop stronger self-esteem and face difficulties with a resilient attitude. “To help families manage the stress and the anxiety derived from caring for a child with neurological disorders, various strategies based on therapeutic and psychological approaches They can be effective,” he adds. Achieving this environment requires a combination of open communication, mutual support, and flexibility in family dynamicsallowing each member to contribute to building a safe and encouraging environment for the child.
The role of comprehensive and multidisciplinary therapy
Piñero emphasizes that the most effective psychological support for children with neurological disorders lies in a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. In this model, professionals from various areas, such as psychology, occupational therapy and speech therapywork together to address the child’s different needs in a coordinated manner. “A multisystem approach that integrates both the child and the family and other support systems, such as school and health professionalsit is fundamental,” he assures. Furthermore, family therapies and adapted cognitive-behavioral interventions allow children to acquire tools to manage anxiety and depression. Accompaniment to parents also becomes a fundamental piece in this approach, since, by training them in managing the specific needs of their children, a more stable and protective environment is achieved.
For Piñero, the goal is for the child to receive support not only in therapy, but also in their daily environment, achieving a coherent and stable support network in which both the family, the school and health professionals work together for the benefit of the minor’s comprehensive development.
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