Tips on Raising a Child with a Disability
January 4th 2008
Does your child have a disability? Many parents feel a loss of what to do when they discover their child is disabled. Where and what kind of help is available? One thing to keep in mind is you are not alone and there are tons of resources and support groups to help you along the way. Start by creating an environment of structured normalcy. By providing a normal environment, your child will become more independent.
Here is some advice on how to raise an independent disabled child:
1. Make it a point to communicate with your child.
By communicating with your kid, you can avoid help them avoid depression. Ask your child what is going on with his or her life. Let them know that they can turn to you with their problems or concerns. Disabled children tend to go through periods of depression and by communicating with your kid you can help them overcome their issues.
2. Provide discipline for your adolescent.
Often parents do not provide discipline because they believe that their child does not know any better because of their disability. This is not true. Let your kid learn from their mistakes and know that there are consequences to their actions.
3. Educate yourself about your child’s disability.
Meet other parents, get some books or videos, or take a class. You need to know as much as you can about your kid’s disability to understand what is happening to your child.
4. Once you become educated and your youngster is old enough, teach your child about their dis ability. They are the ones who are disabled so they need a clear understanding. Make your child proud of whom they are instead of being ashamed. Do not pretend the disability is a phase and will go away.
For more information on parents of children with disabilities visit: Exceptional Parent Magazine