As parents, we want nothing more than to see our kids flourish. For children with disabilities, that may require making lifestyle changes and building strategies that enable them to live life to the fullest. In this article, we share some helpful tips on caring for children with disabilities.
Address Challenges as a Team
For many children with disabilities, there are multiple people involved in helping to manage their condition, including therapists and doctors. Inviting a round table discussion where all parties — teachers and therapists alike — can be vulnerable and transparent is critical to make sure the child’s needs are understood and met by a team of people who love and care about them.
Don’t Compare
Most parents of disabled children are acutely aware of how the child is falling behind compared to others. However, we all hit our stride differently during different parts of life. Never forget that, just like everyone else, children with disabilities can grow and change in unexpected and beautiful ways. Patience is essential when caring for a disabled child. It’s important to remember that all children are creations of God – fearfully and wonderfully made.
Become Anti-Fragile
Coined by Nassim Taleb, being anti-fragile isn’t just about recovering from trauma or building resilience — it’s about growing from trauma. Whether we admit it or not, having children with disabilities can profoundly impact everything from marriage to how we treat our children. Becoming anti-fragile is about taking on the circumstances, not allowing them to be a cause for separation, and building up the family to grow stronger.
Children with disabilities come with needs and challenges that parents must respond to, but it can be challenging without a support system. If you find that you and your child need additional help, contact us so that we can find suitable therapy options that best meet your needs.
