Earnest Parenting.com logo

Encouraging Heroes. You can be one too.

Every parent works hard to raise healthy, happy and well-rounded children. Parents raising children with special needs face a somewhat more difficult task in achieving this goal. There are a few things you can do that may help.

1. Embrace Resources

Thoroughly research any resources that are available in or near your community. If you are new in town, ask your doctor, the local health department and new friends about services available. You may be able to find behavioral therapy programs, physical therapy programs, special needs play groups, relief helpers and much more to benefit your child. You can also use some resources in your home as well. If your child is in a wheel chair, it might be a good idea to think about installing grab bars to help them get around rooms like the bathroom. The grab bar specialists from www.greatgrabz.com can help you install bars that look great and will help your child as well.

Support Groups

Join a nearby support group for parents with special needs children. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to with the same circumstances can be a huge help. You will be able to share experiences and solutions. This is also a great way for your children to make friends.

Include Your Child

Make your special needs child a functioning member of your family. Find a chore he can manage, and make sure he does it each day just as your other children do. When you go on family vacation, make the effort to include activities that will not leave your child with special needs sitting on the side lines.

Keep a Good Schedule

Staying on a good schedule is beneficial to all children. Teach them early in life that there is a time for everything. You should have meal times, bed time, play time, family time and study time during the same hours each day. This gives your children a sense of familiarity and security.

Discipline

You may be unable to discipline a child with special needs in the same manner you discipline your other children. While you may stand one child in a corner, you may need to have another sit in a time out. Whatever you do for discipline, you must make sure you child is not being hurt and can understand what is happening.

School

Many parents home school their children with special needs. If possible, get them into the public or private school system. It will be very good for them to have access to the services provided through the school, and they will be able to become well-socialized.

Many of these tips may help you and your child with special needs. Everyone is different, and it is important that you try many things to see what works best for your family situation.

Image courtesy of Tom Magliery via Creative Commons license, some rights reserved.