What To Expect From The Parents Of Other Special Needs Children
In this article I have focussed on what to expect from the parents of other children with special needs.
The reason I decided to write about this is because when you have a child with special needs, you need all the help and support you can get.
In general, other parents will be very supportive and understanding of both you and your child's special needs.
Parents of other children with special needs can offer an emotional support for you and your family but they may also have a negative impact, if you become overwhelmed by their problems as well as trying to deal with your own problems about your child.
It can be helpful to share stories, strategies etc but do not get disheartened if other parents are talking about their children doing something your child is unable to do.
Every child is unique and special and will have different strengths and weaknesses to any other child.
Take the positive from meeting other parents and see it as a useful exchange of information, ideas and strategies that work for children with special needs.
Use it as a source of support but give yourself enough space so you will not get overcome with other people's and their children's problems.
Having someone to talk to who understands your situation can be wonderful, but be careful not to take on any more problems unless you feel you can really help and are emotionally strong enough to do so.
You also need to make sure that the person you speak to will not discuss you or your child to others unless you have no problem with this.
I have known of some horror stories where children have been told by other children that there is something wrong with them.
This has happened because although the parents talked among themselves, one parent had never told their child what the diagnosis was! Other parents of kids with special needs may change towards you over time but this may be simply down to them "moving on" or they may be experiencing an emotional low point in their lives due to something dependent or independent of their child's special needs.
When this occurs, do not assume you have done something wrong or have offended them.
Give them the space they need but it is always nice to let them know that you have not forgotten about them so that the door does not close between you.
The reason I decided to write about this is because when you have a child with special needs, you need all the help and support you can get.
In general, other parents will be very supportive and understanding of both you and your child's special needs.
Parents of other children with special needs can offer an emotional support for you and your family but they may also have a negative impact, if you become overwhelmed by their problems as well as trying to deal with your own problems about your child.
It can be helpful to share stories, strategies etc but do not get disheartened if other parents are talking about their children doing something your child is unable to do.
Every child is unique and special and will have different strengths and weaknesses to any other child.
Take the positive from meeting other parents and see it as a useful exchange of information, ideas and strategies that work for children with special needs.
Use it as a source of support but give yourself enough space so you will not get overcome with other people's and their children's problems.
Having someone to talk to who understands your situation can be wonderful, but be careful not to take on any more problems unless you feel you can really help and are emotionally strong enough to do so.
You also need to make sure that the person you speak to will not discuss you or your child to others unless you have no problem with this.
I have known of some horror stories where children have been told by other children that there is something wrong with them.
This has happened because although the parents talked among themselves, one parent had never told their child what the diagnosis was! Other parents of kids with special needs may change towards you over time but this may be simply down to them "moving on" or they may be experiencing an emotional low point in their lives due to something dependent or independent of their child's special needs.
When this occurs, do not assume you have done something wrong or have offended them.
Give them the space they need but it is always nice to let them know that you have not forgotten about them so that the door does not close between you.
