6 Things All Parents Of Differently-Abled Kids Should Know

Every parent only wants the best for their children.

By D. Begg — Written on May 07, 2018

Photo: getty

Every single parent in the world wants their children to be mentally and physically fit. However, this is not the case for every single parent.

According to the report published in the United States Census Bureau in 2015, 40 million Americans have some form of disability.

A child’s mental illness negatively affects the parents. Parenting a differently-abled child can be a psychological challenge for the parents. But, it’s a job of a parent to take care of the child, regardless of their child’s condition. Right after the birth of a child, there is a very high chance that the parent will start worrying about a child’s future.

But, worrying won’t change anything. It’s important for parents to have a right mindset and knowledge to effectively take care of their differently-abled kids.

It’s obvious that you will get a lot of parenting advice when you ask people around you. However, it’s not a guarantee that all the tips that you get from people around you work out.

Here are 6 parenting tips that you must have in your mind for effectively parenting differently-abled kids:

1. Always get your information from updated books.

As a parent, it’s very much sure that you will try to find out as much as you can about your child’s illness as possible.

Remember that there are plenty of outdated stuff on the internet and bookshelves, which are of no value. Before getting your information, make sure that the source of information is up to date.

2. Research alternatives.

Parents are extremely sensitive when it comes to the welfare of their children. Due to this reason, parents often spend thousands of dollars on therapies and treatments without doing much research. Even after spending thousands of dollars, there are cases of parents not getting a desirable outcome out of their efforts.

Before spending money on treatments and therapies, it’s recommended that you do a bit of research about treatments and therapies and seek evidence to ensure that the treatments or therapies work.

3. Ask for assistance with other parents.

You are not the only person in the world who is dealing with differently-abled kids. There are many parents around you who are going through the same journey. Ask for family and parenting tips with them. Discussing with them will help you learn new things through sharing of experience of various struggles, solutions, and so on.

You can be friends with those parents and introduce your kids to their kids as well.

4. Avoid pity.

A deep self-pity will do you more harm than good. It’s recommended that you completely avoid it. I know it can be difficult to do it every single time, but you should try your best. Seek for therapy for yourself as well if you need it. Sooner you accept the reality, better you will be able to deal with your condition.

Instead of self-pity, you should have the feeling of empathy. It will help you better deal with your condition.

5. Opt for playful therapy.

According to the report, the cognitive difficulty is the most common disability found in children. This means that they will have a difficult time learning and adapt to the environment. Regardless of the type of disability, an effective therapy is needed to improve the condition of a child.

In order for a therapy to be effective, it’s highly suggested that the therapy should be playful. A playful therapy has a better chance of engaging your kids. And, your kids will also enjoy taking part in playful therapy. The children should be challenged, but they must not be discouraged.

6. Make your child a part of your life.

Do not feel frustrated if you have a responsibility of parenting a differently-abled kid. And, do not put your life totally around your child. Instead, you should try to normalize your life.

Make your child a part of every single activity that is important in your life. Doing this will ease your frustration and boost the morale of your child.