Navigating Adolescence: Lived Experiences and Psychological Support Needs of Individuals with Special Needs

This study aims to explore the experiences and support needs of parents raising adolescents with special needs during adolescence. The research was designed within a phenomenological qualitative framework. The participants consisted of 12 parents eight mothers and four fathers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, or physical disability. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Five main themes were identified: (1) parents’ perspectives on their children’s adolescence, (2) the impact of disability type on the adolescent experience, (3) parental reactions, (4) transformations in parental roles, and (5) information and support needs. The findings indicate that adolescents with special needs undergo similar physical, emotional, and behavioral changes to their typically developing peers; however, the ways these changes are expressed vary depending on disability type, communication skills, and social context. Parents reported difficulties in distinguishing whether certain behaviors stemmed from adolescence or from the child’s disability. Additionally, lack of information, limited access to professional support, and insufficient social support emerged as significant challenges in managing this developmental period. The results highlight parents’ need for systematic information and training programs, access to multidisciplinary professional guidance, and robust social support networks. Strengthening parental guidance plays a critical protective role in ensuring that adolescents with special needs experience a safe and healthy developmental transition.