Perceptions of Northwest Indiana’s Community Supports and Resources for Caregivers of Children with Disabilities

Level of Education of Students Involved

Graduate

Faculty Sponsor

Theresa Carroll

College

College of Nursing & Health Professions (CONHP)

Discipline(s)

Occupational Therapy

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-30-2026

Abstract

Background: Caregivers of children with disabilities in Northwest Indiana (NWI) face limited services and often receive unclear, overwhelming information, leaving them unsure how to access support.

Methods: This qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with six caregivers across Porter, Lake, and La Porte counties. Participants completed a single 30-40 minute interview about their experiences with community resources and ideal support. Transcribed interviews were thematically analyzed.

Results: All six caregivers used at least one form of community support. Common resources included Facebook support groups (n=6), outpatient therapies (n=5), and First Steps (n=4). Five key themes emerged: (1) importance of early intervention and system navigation, (2) available community programs, (3) informal peer support, (4) barriers to access, and (5) areas for improvement.

Conclusion: Caregivers expressed a strong need for improved formal support services. While programs like First Steps, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and school-based services are essential, caregivers valued peer support for reducing isolation and providing emotional connection. Needs varied widely, including financial, educational, and emotional assistance. Limited resource availability in NWI compounded system navigation difficulties. Future research should expand geographically and use findings to develop a structured questionnaire. This study ultimately aims to inform a centralized resource integrating formal and informal supports to better serve families.

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