Parenting a Disabled Child

Having a child with a physical or mental disability can be stressful, but also exceptionally rewarding. There are a number of additional tasks or healthcare needs that you may need to meet, depending on their condition, which can make life difficult for the whole family. While there are many aspects of parenting you might need to change, it is also important for the child themselves to learn different means of self-care so that, if appropriate, they may also have some level of independence, both in childhood and when they become an adult.

Occupational Therapy

When it comes to allowing your child as much independence as possible, you may also want to look into making sure that any practitioner aiding them with this has completed an online occupational therapy degree program. This will enable them to have the skills and knowledge required to best support your child. You could also look into online programs, so that you can help your child with their daily activities in the interim. Due to the online nature of these programs, it means that you’d only need to pay for the course itself, rather than additional accommodation or commuting expenses. In doing so, you may be better equipped to look after your child when healthcare professionals are not around.

Home Adaptations

A number of changes may be necessary within your home to meet the needs of your child. This could include stairlifts or even elevators fitted within the home itself, as well as modification to the size of doorways, and even the layout of toilets and bathrooms, that will allow your child to do as much as they can within their own home. On top of these physical changes, other pieces of equipment may also be required to help your child with their daily activities. Something as simple as a bed lift can make the process of transferring your child to and from their bed and wheelchair that much easier and safer.

You can look for more information through online resources to help you in this endeavor. An example is this guide for parents about how to do toilet training for kids with special needs.

Your Own Wellbeing

Looking after a disabled child can take a lot more physical and mental effort than that of a non-disabled child. Due to this, you may find yourself faced with increased fatigue, as well as even the symptoms of depression, especially if you do not get a great deal of respite time. Finding or making time for yourself, whether that be through enlisting the support of carers, friends, or other family members, and looking after your own wellbeing needs can be imperative for you to be able to continue looking after your child to the best of your ability.

Even though you may not have had previous experience with disabilities prior to your child’s birth or diagnosis, that doesn’t mean that you are not capable of looking after them. By researching the best ways to help them live as full a life as possible, and keeping your own health needs in mind, you can spend more time showering them with the love they deserve, and less time spent full of worry.