Literature Review on Parenting Styles and Development of Children with Special Needs

Parents play an essential role in a child’s life, especially in childhood, till they become self-sufficient. Discipline and control imposed by parents help develop a healthy personality of a child. Research-based evidence supports that parenting style substantially affects children’s development (Gupta, Mehtani 2017). Parenting styles have a more significant impact on children’s behavioural, emotional, educational and social aspects. Change in familial structure from extended to nuclear and further to single parents has also had a more significant impact on parenting style and, in turn, on the development of children. Much of the credit goes to Baumrind (1966) for the pioneering work on parenting style and child behaviour ^[1], but most of the research is done in the context of normal children. The status of parenting style in children with special needs has not been studied so far. Referring to the literature and research available, this paper addresses the parenting style and development of normal children in general and children with special needs in particular.