Steps for Empowering a Child with Additional Needs Around 12.8% of children in the U.S. have an additional need, making a total of arou...
Steps for Empowering a Child with Additional Needs
Around 12.8% of children in
the U.S. have an additional need, making a total of around 9.4 million
children. Some of the most prevalent additional or special needs include
autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, dyslexia, and intellectual
disabilities. If you have a child with additional needs, creating a
proactive strategy is key in order to help foster their independence, happiness, and wellbeing. The following tips may be helpful after a recent diagnosis.
Ensuring Your Child’s Legal Rights are Respected
Depending on your child’s additional need, he or she may be entitled to compensation if medical negligence was involved.
Cerebral palsy, for instance, can be caused if a health professional
fails to diagnose or treat an infection in the mother, rapidly diagnose
and treat preterm labor, or monitor infant distress - resulting in birth asphyxia.
The latter can occur owing to umbilical cord problems, which may
necessitate a C-section. In the case that birth asphyxia has occurred,
immediate treatment should be received to help prevent the severity of
cerebral palsy. If you suspect negligence or error caused your child’s
condition, it is important to seek legal help as your child may be
entitled to compensation. The latter will be key when it comes to
accessing the wide range of established and novel treatments available.
Choosing the Best Schooling for Your Child
One of the most challenging decisions you
may have to make is choosing whether to send your child to a mainstream
or a special education school. The latter will usually have more
equipment and facilities and may have particularly strong programs for
children with your child’s condition. Some parents opt for mainstream
school, however, because they prioritize their child’s interaction with
typically developing peers. When making your choice, look into aspects
such as the school’s commitment to children with special needs, the
approach of staff and the school principal, and the use of creative and
personalized approaches to education. Pay a visit to your shortlisted
schools so you can get a feel for the staff and so you can view the
available resources and equipment.
Embracing Opportunities for Social Interaction
Joining
support groups, networks, and forums can help you find and connect with
families living with the same additional need/s your child has, thus
providing a crucial sense of belonging. Parents are also an invaluable
source of information on everything from resources to good schools, top
professionals, and useful extra-curricular treatments. Building a friend
group for your child is also key, so as soon as you child starts
school, take the opportunity to organize play dates and meet-ups so that
your child can have a wide array of friends. Encourage your child to
make independent decisions about the type of play they enjoy and the
friends they feel most connected to.