Families of young exceptional children (young children with identified delays or disabilities) have different life experiences, characteristics, and stressors than families of typically developing children. This makes the study of these families, and especially their responses to disaster, unique. This study used an online survey to investigate parents perceptions of stress and service delivery, as well as related characteristics. Across 6 participants, 100% reported increased parental stress, mostly attributed to disruptions or inconsistencies in services, impacting daily routines, schedules, and activities of families. Other results are mixed, indicating the diversity of family experiences across demographics, as well as the need for further research to inform recovery efforts. Finally, the author contends that there must be planning, by systems, schools, and teachers, for the next such disaster.
