Introduction: Chronic illnesses are long-term conditions that affect children on physical, emotional, and social levels. These illnesses impact the child’s body, emotions, psyche, and social relationships. Children with special needs are more frequently exposed to chronic conditions and consequently experience reduced independence and difficulties performing everyday activities. A child’s diagnosis influences family dynamics, relationships, and roles within the family, as well as alters the daily rhythm of life. When faced with a diagnosis and its consequences, parents often seek various forms of support and assistance, among which occupational therapy plays an important role, aiming to enhance the child’s independence in daily activities. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore parents’ perspectives on the performance of activities by their chronically ill children with special needs and their experiences in coping with the diagnosis and participating in occupational therapy interventions. Methods: A qualitative research design was used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with seven parents of chronically ill children with special needs. The obtained data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. Results: Four themes emerged: Parents’ coping with the diagnosis and its consequences, Experiencing the parental role, Performance of daily activities, and Parents’ experiences with occupational therapy. The results showed that children are limited in various areas of human functioning and are largely dependent on parental assistance. Coping with the diagnosis and providing long-term care for the child represents a demanding and emotionally challenging process for parents. They reported positive experiences with occupational therapy but expressed a desire for greater involvement in therapy sessions and for more information on how to work with their child. Discussion and conclusion: For children with special needs and associated chronic conditions, activities related to basic daily living, play, leisure, education, and social inclusion are at the forefront. In carrying out these activities, children mostly depend on parental assistance, while they are partially independent in simpler tasks. An important part of the support system is occupational therapists, who enable children to participate in everyday activities and contribute to a better quality of life, while also providing parents with psychological and educational support.
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