Social workers' perceptions and practice regarding grandparents in families of children with a developmental disability

This study examined Israeli social workers' knowledge and practice concerning grandparents of children with disabilities. Eighty-one social workers providing services to families of children with disabilities responded to a 31-item questionnaire tapping demographic and professional background, knowledge of structural and functional aspects of grandparents' support, and actual practice with grandparents. The results showed that social workers recognize the significant and stable role grandparents play in the network of parents of children with disabilities. The findings also indicated that social workers believe that while parents need mostly emotional support from grandparents, they actually receive primary instrumental support, which contributes to mothers' adjustment more than it does to fathers' adjustment. As to actual practice, social workers report rarely involving grandparents in professional activities. Moreover, many social workers show no interest in obtaining more professional training in this area. The findings present a challenge to the social work profession to be more attentive to the significant family resource of grandparents in families of children with disabilities.