Hälsa och välfärd hos barn och unga med funktionsnedsättning

HÄLSA OCH VÄLFÄRD HOS BARN OCH UNGA MED FUNKTIONSNEDSÄTTNING 9
children with predominantly neuropsychiatric disorders are a particularly vulnerable
group.
Children with disabilities are generally as physically active as children without
disabilities. Children with predominantly neuropsychiatric disorders are less
physically active, while children with primarily physical disabilities however, are
more physically active than children without disabilities. Children with only allergic
diseases are as physically active as children without disabilities. It is somewhat more
common for parents of children with moderate or severe disabilities to discuss issues
related to health and fitness activities compared to parents of children without
disabilities. In terms of type of disability, it is a larger proportion of parents of
children with primarily physical disabilities who discuss such matters compared to
parents of children without disabilities.
Children with disabilities are less satisfied in school and are more exposed to
bullying than children without disabilities. It is mainly children with
neuropsychiatric disorders who are less satisfied in school. A contributing factor
may be that this group, according to their parents, perform worse in school and are
more vulnerable to bullying. Even children with primarily physical disabilities and
children with moderate or severe disabilities are particularly prone to bullying.
Children with disabilities read fewer books, but participate in club activities, play
instruments and go to the cinema to the same extent as children without disabilities.
Children with moderate or severe disabilities or mainly neuropsychiatric disorders
spend less time with peers.
There are clear disparities in self-reported health between children with disabilities
and children without disabilities. Children with disabilities have poorer self-reported
health. Children with mild, moderate or severe disabilities experience more mental
health problems and more stress-related symptoms in their daily lives compared to
children without disabilities. In terms of type of disability, we see that it is mainly
children with primarily physical or neuropsychiatric disorders that experience these
problems, whereas children with only allergic diseases have symptoms nearly as
seldom as children without disabilities.
Even parents of children with disabilities have poorer self-reported health than
parents of children without disabilities. They have more mental health problems and
more stress-related symptoms. Symptoms are most common among parents of
children with moderate or severe disabilities as well as among parents of children
with predominantly neuropsychiatric disorders.
In sum, there are differences between children with disabilities and children without
disabilities in several of the investigated areas. This applies in particular to living
conditions, school and health. The differences are smaller when it comes to physical
activity and leisure activities. We see that children with disabilities need further
attention in schools, especially when it comes to preventing children from being
bullied. We also find that parents of children with disabilities are more economically
disadvantaged and have worse health than parents of children without disabilities.
STATENS FOLKHÄLSOINSTITUT