Parenting

When you become a parent, endless dirty laundry and 3 a.m. feedings often fall more on one partner's shoulders. Divide and conquer, right? But when you add a child with special needs to the mix, the balancing act of parental and spousal roles gets far more complicated. Life becomes a blur of therapies, meetings, and caregiving that can strain even the strongest relationship. If you find increased conflict, isolation, or envy creeping in, it’s time for an honest reassessment. With care, teamwork and intentionality, you can rebalance roles in a way that honors each partner's needs and brings you closer together.

As a parent of a child with special needs, life can feel like one therapy session or doctor’s appointment after another. You advocate, coordinate, and manage a whirlwind of challenges that other families can’t imagine. It’s easy to get bogged down in the bureaucracy and forget to celebrate the incredible milestones, both big and small. This journey requires endurance, but along the way are many moments of joy, if you know where to look. This article is a reminder to find happiness in the day-to-day victories and see your child, not their disability.

If your child has complex special educational needs, you may have heard about EHCPs — Education, Health and Care Plans. But what exactly are they, and how do you go about getting one?

When my son Adam was diagnosed with autism at age 5, I had no idea how to get him the help he needed. The doctors handed me some pamphlets and sent me on my way to figure out the complex special education system in the UK. I felt scared and alone, but I knew I had to advocate for my child.

As a parent of a child with special educational needs or disability (SEND) in the UK, you may feel overwhelmed navigating the complex SEND system. Getting the proper support for your child under the Children and Families Act can seem daunting. This guide aims to explain the key components of the SEND system in plain English and provide tips to help you advocate for your child.

When Lily's 13-year-old son Theo came home from school for the third time this month in tears, she knew the bullying had escalated again. Born with achondroplasia dwarfism, Theo was a perpetual target for classmates’ taunts and physical abuse. But the school insisted it was “just joking around”.  Lily's story is agonizingly common. Disabled children are twice as likely to be bullied than their non-disabled peers. But with schools often dismissing the issue, families feel powerless to protect their vulnerable children.

Creating and nurturing genuine friendships and social connections is essential for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. The power of friendship extends far beyond mere companionship; it plays a vital role in promoting emotional well-being, providing a support system, and enhancing overall quality of life. However, for individuals with disabilities, building and maintaining meaningful relationships can be accompanied by unique challenges and barriers. This article delves into the importance of meaningful friendships and social connections for those with disabilities, explores the obstacles that may arise, and provides strategies and insights to overcome these challenges. Together, we can foster inclusivity, acceptance, and social engagement to create a more connected and supportive community.

Introduction

Introduction

Finding a place to call home is a universal need. But for the over 60 million Americans living with disabilities, locating housing that is both fully accessible and affordable within their limited budgets is an uphill battle. With an extreme shortage of suitable rental units, home modifications out of reach, and accessible new construction lagging, the disabled community remains chronically underhoused. It’s time to build the foundation of inclusive housing for all.

Getting a diagnosis that your child has special needs or a disability turns parenthood into a marathon overnight. The responsibilities of coordinating therapies, managing behaviours, fighting for support services, and adjusting expectations can overwhelm life. Having walked this path myself, I’ve gained hard-won wisdom applicable to any parent starting the journey with a special needs child. Though challenges will arise, remember to celebrate your child, tend to your wellbeing, and surround yourself with community.

Parenting a child with special needs presents unique challenges that can put extensive strain on marriages. The constant caregiving demands and emotional toll can leave couples feeling disconnected. Maintaining intimacy and prioritizing your marriage requires active effort and intention. With understanding, creativity, and commitment, you can keep your relationship close despite the challenges.

Social skills don’t always come naturally for children with certain developmental disabilities and special needs. Many struggle with skills like making eye contact, reading social cues, taking turns, and initiating conversation. Weak social skills can lead to isolation, anxiety, and difficulty building friendships. As a parent, you play a pivotal role in helping your child improve their social abilities. With consistency, creativity and compassion, you can implement targeted strategies to foster social skills development.

When you’re the parent of a child with autism, meltdowns can be an unfortunate and challenging reality. Many children with autism experience sensory processing issues that can quickly become overwhelming and lead to meltdowns where they cry, scream, drop to the floor, or even lash out.

When you're raising a child with special needs, friendships can become difficult to maintain. The relentless needs of caring for your child often force your social life to the back burner. Friends without special needs kids may not fully understand your realities, leaving you feeling isolated. It can be a major struggle to nurture old bonds while having little time or energy for anything beyond managing your child’s challenges.

Raising my child with special needs has been incredibly rewarding but also uniquely challenging. While all parents want the best for their kids, I require extra time, attention, and resources to care for mine. This can lead to misunderstandings with my extended family, who don’t fully grasp my day-to-day demands. A huge part of the issue is that my child needs near-constant vigilance from me. I monitor her health, development, therapies, and education around the clock. I advocate for accommodations, manage equipment, give medications, track data, and facilitate social interactions. This hyper-focus on my daughter’s well-being, which is absolutely necessary, can seem overbearing or obsessive to relatives not living it.