These days, more and more children are getting diagnosed with special needs. In many ways, this is great, because kids are getting the help they need to be able to tackle the world around them. It isn’t so much that more kids have special needs – more that now they’re being identified and treated as well as possible. But that doesn’t stop special needs like autism and ADHD from presenting their own challenges within your family unit. Here are some tips to help…
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Do Your Research
Make sure you know as much as you can about the additional needs that your child has. That doesn’t mean that you should distrust your doctor and focus on the information on internet forums instead. On the contrary – make sure that you understand everything that your doctor or pediatrician is telling you, and do your own research to expand on those facts when you get home.
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Take What You’re Entitled To
If you’re entitled to money from the government and social security because of the needs that your child has, make sure that you take what you’re entitled to. There’s no point in being too proud – the money is there to help you and your family, and it will help enable your child to live as full a life as they can. If you aren’t getting what you should be and you’re having some problems, talk to a lawyer like David Chermol who specializes in cases like that.
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Educate Other People
Admittedly, explaining your child’s needs to other people might get old very quickly, but nonetheless it can be an important thing to do. If you have an autistic kid who’s having a meltdown in public, explaining quickly that they have autism so they find some parts of ‘normal’ social situations difficult might mean that in the future other parents with kids with special needs might not be judged harshly on first sight. If you can, you could consider working with a charity that helps out other kids with special needs who are in tougher situations than you. Your specialist knowledge will make you an invaluable volunteer.
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Get Tougher
Unfortunately it’s important that you really have it together so that you can best care for your child. People might offer you irritating unsolicited advice and insinuate that you’re not doing everything in your power to help your child, but ultimately you have to remember to stand your ground and stick up for yourself and your family. You may have to push doctors for more suggestions and information, you may have to push the government for more help so you can adapt your home for your kids the best that you can. Now isn’t the time to be softly spoken – fight on behalf of your child. Now isn’t the time to be a mother hen – it’s the time to be a lioness.
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Do What’s Best For Your Family
Remember that ultimately nothing matter except what’s best for you, your child, and the rest of your family. Don’t second guess yourself or listen to people who don’t know what they’re talking about. Trust your instincts and you’ll do the best thing for you.
