According to the U.S Census Bureau, over 2.8 million American families have two or more children with additional needs. Raising a child with additional needs can be one of the most challenging things a parent will ever experience. But every single challenge can be an opportunity for growth for parents as well as for their child. And every obstacle can lead to new strengths and abilities that weren’t there before, turning the child with additional needs into a better version of themselves.
Parents need to make sure that their child receives proper education and experiences many different social situations that will help in the development of their mental health as well as physical health. It is also important for parents to show their love and attention towards their child as well as towards other people that are involved in their life. Additional effort is needed but it will definitely lead to better opportunities for both the parents and the child with additional needs in the future. Here are 10 tips for raising a child with additional needs.
Adopt an Attitude of Acceptance
First and foremost, you should adopt the attitude that your child is perfect just the way he is. It may sound cliché but it’s one of the most important things you can do during any type of hardship. Not only will it make things easier for your child, but it’ll help you deal with some of the struggles in life. Be supportive and guide your child as best as possible, but always remember that they are unique individuals with incredible abilities.
Make Your Home Accommodating
Make necessary modifications to make your home as accommodating as possible for accessibility and safety purposes. If your child needs to have their own room, don’t put a door on your doorway. For safety reasons, if your child is in a wheelchair or requires some type of lift, you may need to install an accessible curb cut or make modifications for them to have full access. These are common changes that will greatly benefit your child and the family. In fact, adapting your home to better meet your child’s needs can make life easier for both of you.
Communicate Clearly
This is especially important if your child has speech impairment or some sort of mental or physical disability. For example, some children with Autism may have a difficult time communicating their needs. It is important to be patient and compassionate as you work through this process. It is easy to become angry when your child doesn’t follow your instructions or when they can get into dangerous situations. So, take some time every day to work on communication skills with your child. Read them stories every night or incorporate speech therapy with some games and exercise. By doing these activities with you, they will learn how to express themselves in a way that is clear and concise.
Spend More Time With Your child
Children with special needs often spend a lot of time alone or without company because they are either too difficult for others to deal with or because their parents are having trouble coping. Do what you can to spend time with your child. This could be playing outside or going to the park, reading books, or simply sitting quietly next to each other and enjoying the company. For those with children who are unable to move around comfortably alone, take them on errands with you or in your car on trips. Play music they like and talk about what they see out the window.
Work With a Doctor
As you’re raising a child with additional needs, it’s important to work closely with a doctor. There are a variety of different medical conditions that may hinder a child’s progress in school or even in day-to-day life. A doctor will be able to outline some treatment options that will be important for you as you go forward. This will also ensure your child receives the best possible care.
Educate Everyone Around You
Be sure to explain your child’s special needs to friends, family, teachers, schoolmates, and neighbors so that they know how to interact with him or her the right way. This could be as simple as knowing how to feed them or when it is best to give them a hug. You might feel embarrassed doing this at first, but this step could save you a lot of time and trouble in the future if you feel comfortable enough doing so. On top of that, Friends and family members may be willing to help you take care of your child with additional needs after school or on the weekends. This way, you can get some time to yourself.
Attend Support Groups
According to CPFN’s Care guide raising a child with additional needs may require a ton of work, but it is also rewarding. When you feel as though you have exhausted all of your resources, consider attending a support group in your community for parents with children who have additional needs. There may be other parents in your area who are struggling with the same thing as you, so consider getting together with them and obtaining some useful advice from others who have dealt with the same thing you’re going through.
Don’t Limit Their Opportunities
When you have a child with special needs it can sometimes be easy to limit them from opportunities such as going to college or pursuing a career because of their disability. However, that is not always necessary. If you have a child who is smart and capable then they should have the right to reach any goal they want regardless of their disability. Sometimes just having people in the community reinforce this idea can help parents push past the “full potential” limiters that often hold children back.
Teach Your Child Independence
One of the best ways for you to help your child achieve independence is by building it into him or her at an early age. Children with additional needs may need a little extra help in some situations, but it is important that you teach them how to do things on their own so that they are comfortable when they go out into the world after finishing school. When teaching kids with additional needs, always teach them in the context of their everyday life scenarios. For example, allowing them to take part in household chores like washing dishes. Also for children with limited motor function or visual impairment you can start by encouraging them in getting their clothes and getting dressed on their own.
Develop a Plan For Your Child’s Special Needs
It’s never too early or late to start planning for your child’s needs. Planning ahead and taking some time to think things through can help keep stress at bay, and save you from making decisions on the fly when life throws a wild card your way. For example, you can start by planning on your child’s special need trust and decide who can be his trustee. However, there are many resources online that can help you develop a plan for your child to ensure that they have everything they need.
Although there are many challenges to parenting a child with additional needs, being a parent is never easy. This is especially true if you are trying to raise your child in today’s society where people are bombarded every day with media messages about what they should be doing to be considered good parents. But with these tips raising a child with additional needs can be much easier.