Raising a child with special needs can be daunting, even for the best-prepared parents. The resources necessary to meet a child’s special needs go beyond the physical and medical. Parents of children with special needs should be sure to seek support from three major areas:
• Education and training: Besides learning about how a child’s condition is likely to affect growth and development, parents should seek resources that outline any special training they might need to support their child’s development. In some cases, this may involve working with someone trained professionally in certain skills.
• Assistance programs: Federal, state, and local governments offer financial and medical assistance for children with disabilities. Laws at every level prohibit discrimination and ensure the rights of children. Nonprofit groups often offer support programs for children with specific conditions.
• Support groups: Building a network of parents going through similar experiences is invaluable. Sharing tips, triumphs, and frustrations is an important part of staying positive and finding workable solutions.
About Keith Pillich
An industrial hygienist and family man, Keith Pillich is the father of a child with special needs child. To help other families and children with special needs, Pillich supports the Cerebral Palsy Association, Aspire for Children of Cerebral Palsy, and the Buffalo Women and Children’s Hospital.
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