Abstract Background This research investigated the impact that children with intellectual disability in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may have on their families. Method Sixty-three parents completed three scales related to parent stress, ways of coping, and parenting satisfaction. Results There were significant relationships between emotional-focused coping and family adaptation and between problem-focused coping and parenting satisfaction. There were no significant relationships between other predictor and outcome measures. Conclusion This research advances our understanding of family responses to a child with intellectual disability in Arab cultures.