Schooling Tips for Parents of Children with Special Needs

All children need love, support, encouragement, and for children with special needs such positive reinforcement can ensure a strong sense of self-worth, confidence, and determination to keep going through even when things are tough. 

In searching for ways to help children with special needs, remember that you as parents are looking for ways to help them help themselves. As parents, you should know that you cannot “cure” their disorder, but you can provide social and emotional tools to help them overcome their challenges. 

Parenting children with high needs can be overwhelming and exhausting sometimes. But, it will teach you what you are actually capable of both strength and compassion that you never knew you had. The journey will teach patience, humility, love and compassion, which parents pass on to their child. 

Connect Personally With Your Child’s Teachers and Therapists

Parents are the best advocate and support for their children, but if your child’s teachers and therapists don’t know you, they won’t be able to reach out to you for ideas and help. 

• Set up a meeting with teachers very often to know about your child’s progress and communicate with the staff.
• Provide them information about your child’s strengths and challenges, so they can do their best to deal with the child. 
• Let everyone know that you are available to talk and consider the suggestions to be included in your child’s educational experience. Provide your phone numbers and e-mail address, so it is easier to connect, and you can ask for theirs too. 

A Learning Disability Isn’t Insurmountable

Remember that parenting isn’t easy and all parents face obstacles. If you, as a parent, will not be ready to face the challenges then how will you teach your kids to deal with them without being discouraged or overwhelmed?

Identify How Your Child Learns Best

Every child learns at their own pace – disability or not. One has their own learning style and pattern. Some learn best by observing or reading, others by listening, and some others by performing. You can start and help your child with figuring out their primary learning style. Identify if your child is a visual learner, an auditory learner, or a kinaesthetic learner. Once you are aware, you can do your best to reinforce these learnings at your home and also talk to school teachers about it.

Think about Life’s Success, Rather Than School’s Success

Success means different things to different people, but do not limit your child’s learnings to good report cards. Hope and dream for your child’s better future that can include fulfilling jobs, a happy family and a sense of contentment. So, work towards building their future rather than just focusing on school success – academics; there are multiple things to focus on like a healthy sense of your child, happy mind, willingness to ask for help, the determination to keep trying in spite of challenges, and other qualities that cannot be quantified in terms of grades.

Share Your Enthusiasm For Learning With Your Child. 

Talk to your child about their favourite subjects, what they are learning during the year, and their interests. Let them know that you have confidence in their abilities and you believe that they can master the content. Reinforce the natural learning process that occurs in the school. Learning skills take time and repetition, so motivate your child and encourage them to be patient, attentive, and positive.

Cherish the gifts that your child possesses and avoid focusing on things that your child can’t do. Often, special needs come with their own precious treasures, and it is those that you should be thankful for.

Also read – Mother is the first teacher of every child