In the United States, one out of six children has disabilities. Being a parent of a child with disabilities can be challenging, especially when you work full-time or have other kids to take care of. Although you meet different challenges, nothing beats the love you get from your child. That’s the greatest thing about being a parent. But parents, much as they’d like to be superheroes, are merely human. They need help, too. Here’s some advice to help you from burning out:
Join support groups
Everyone needs a support system. Luckily, there are thousands of support groups for special needs parents. They can be found both online and in person. There are different types of support groups as well: emotional, regional, national, school-based, advocacy groups, and even support groups for parents with specific needs and conditions.
Whenever people face challenges, finding someone to talk to and hearing other people’s stories and advice can help. Having a support group outside of family and friends can help, especially when it’s a group of people who are going through the same kind of situation as you are.
You might also want to look into organizations such as Parent to Parent. They’re an organization that offers parent-to-parent support for families who have children with disabilities. It’s one-on-one support. The parent whom you’ll be matched with will be an experienced one. They will be there to advise you through your journey and provide you with emotional support.
Find a caregiver
Finding a caregiver is always a good option, especially when you and your partner both have to work and are both unavailable 24/7. A caregiver is also great to have even when you’re not at work, as tasks around the house can be a bit more challenging when you have to look after a disabled child. Hiring a caregiver can give you a break and help you avoid burning out.
It may be a little challenging to find a caregiver who best fits your child’s needs and, of course, your budget. It can also take some time to find one. But don’t worry. While you’re looking for a caregiver for your child, you could always opt to seek respite care in the meantime. Respite care is for short-term or temporary breaks. You can have respite care for only a day or schedule it several times a week—whichever works best for you. Just remember to give yourself a break.
Apply for Legal Support
Anyone who has a disability is entitled to apply for certain benefits. You have to apply for a disability claim to gain the benefits. This can be of tremendous help, especially when you need to invest in assistive technology and equipment that can be quite expensive. Legal support is always a good idea, as it helps you deal with the challenges of parenting a bit more easily.
Invest in assistive technology or equipment
Investing in equipment can help make both your and your child’s lives easier. You have to consider plenty of things before you invest in assistive technology or equipment.
To find the right equipment, ask yourself or your child what the most difficult things for your child are right now. What technology would be best to make it easier for them? Make a list of these difficulties and rank them according to priority to know what equipment you should invest in first.
You can also download applications on your mobile phone. Applications such as Talkitt, Be My Eyes, Avaz, LOOK AT ME Hear You Now, and Stepping Stones are only a few examples of applications that can assist with your child’s development.
Choose the right school for your child
Putting your child through schooling is a great way to have them interact with other people. This can help them develop their skills. It can also make things easier for you by having them looked after and taught by someone else. But when it comes to choosing the right school for your child, you have to consider a lot of things.
Make sure that the school you will choose can fit your child’s needs. Visiting different schools and talking to parents and teachers can help you check whether one is the right place for your child. Also, ask yourself whether a mainstream or specialist school would be a better option for them. If neither doesn’t sound like a good fit, you can always try homeschooling.
Being a parent is both a gift and a challenge. You always want the best for your child, and you’d go to extreme lengths just to protect them. But remember that you have to take care of yourself to take care of your child.
