Raising a handicapped child is extremely challenging and difficult. It is hard to know where to turn to get helpful tips and advice. According to "Pediatrics" magazine, a handicapped child's pediatrician plays an important role in providing resources to parents. "Pediatrics" goes on to suggest that the majority of parents caring for a special needs child desire to do so in the home. In order to successfully raise a handicapped child, it is important to keep several tips in mind to create a lifetime bond and a rewarding relationship.
At Home
According to "Pediatrics," most parents want to raise their handicapped child at home. There are many factors that can make keeping a handicapped child at home difficult and challenging. Single parenthood and poverty are two of the most devastating influences. It is important to seek out the guidance that a pediatrician can offer because he will have a wealth of resources to ensure proper treatment and care. "Pediatrics" strongly emphasizes that the family is a handicapped child's best resource, and having outside resources can improve quality of life within the home, including services that make a home handicapped accessible and specifically meet the needs of mentally retarded children and children with physical handicaps.
At School
Handicapped children deserve access to a high quality education just like all other children. Scholastic reports that Individualized Education Plans are one way to ensure that handicapped children receive the intervention services they need. It is recommended that parents take an active role in creating and implementing the Individualized Education Plan in order to help their handicapped child be successful in school.. Scholastic indicates that the Individualized Education Plan will specifically outline the required classroom setting and type of teacher, the number of hours that specialized services will be provided, the type of materials the child will use, homework requirements and ways in which the child will be assessed.
Parent Child Relationship
Parents can create a lifelong and rewarding relationship with their handicapped child with the right amount of care and attention. Scholastic recommends that parents use creativity to plan activities, such as tea parties, games and pretend play. These kinds of activities encourage a handicapped child to learn but also provide important time for a parent and child to spend together. Parents can also focus on what their handicapped child can do and build on those strengths to encourage future progress and motivation. Scholastic suggests that parents capitalize on every opportunity to celebrate what a handicapped child is able to do in order to increase self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.
References
- "Pediatrics;" Helping Families Raise Children with Special Health Care Needs at Home; Chris Plauché Johnson and Theodore A. Kastner; February 2005
- Scholastic: Teacher Translator
- Schloastic: Working with Children Who are Physically Challenged
