Special Needs Children

Very few children give their parents an 'easy ride'. From birth, they seem to know instinctively how to manipulate a parent. In fact, many people would go so far as to say that babies and youngsters of humans, and indeed many animals, are the most egotistical creatures on our planet. But with regards to babies and children with special needs, it is often almost a necessity (or an absolute necessity) that they demand our every attention. But because they almost always seem to possess qualities which far outweigh their disabilities, whether in day care, residential care, or home care, they are almost always considered to be a very special and cherished family member.

Many children with special needs are an inspiration to others, often managing not only to cope with their disabilities but also to go far beyond reach of anyone's great expections. The world is full of great athletes and thinkers and musicians with various disabilities. Most children, whatever their special need, are able to be guided to best levels of their achievements - and often far beyond the expected 'best level'.

But some old-fashioned negative attitudes in society can cause great distress – both to the special needs person himself/herself and family members. Some people can be deliberately rude verbally. Others cannot resist staring. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to change the attitude of certain citizens. Every family needs to learn to act in a way which makes them 'rise above' unfortunate experiences which they may encounter, usually with ignorant people.

Some disabilities are much more extreme and difficult to cope with than others, both for the special needs person himself/herself and/or their families. Some are much more of a serious nature and/or more worrying than others. Depending on severity of the handicap, it might well be that the special needs child will still require a parents attentions into adulthood.

Ongoing great care and responsibility for an offspring, with special needs, can be omnipresent for many years beyond the usual range of years of needing to care for a son/daughter. Many parents of severely disabled children constantly worry who will be able to support their handicapped offspring when they, the parents, are deceased. To tackle this subject 'head on', whilst the disabled son/daughter is in his/her infancy, gives peace of mind to many parents. Endeavour to make as many enquiries as possible – to ensure that you are aware of all the options open. Keep checking that these options are remaining open to ensure best welfare for your youngster into his/her future adult years.

Special needs children covers a multitude of topics. Some special needs may be able to be corrected before adulthood.

Ongoing physical disabilities include spina bifida, limb deformities, severe impairment of the senses such as hearing and eyesight, dwarfism and cerebral palsy.

Ongoing mental disabilities include downs syndrome, autism, tourette’s disorder and general learning difficulties.

Whether it is a physical disability or a mental disability, a baby or child with a handicap, especially a severe handicap, cannot face many moments of the day (and sometimes, also the night) without parental care. This inevitably can lead to a feeling of “being neglected” by the parents - by other siblings in the family. So it is of the utmost importance that the brothers/sisters of the handicapped child also receive some quality time with their parents. This can be far from easy – especially when it has been necessary for parents to have spent much of the night tending to their child with special needs. But it is crucial that other children in the family do not start to resent the child with the special needs – or feel a sense of deprivation by the parents.

Vast majority of children with special needs can be helped enormously. Sometimes, a series of operations can make it possible for disability to be corrected (or corrected to a degree that it becomes inconsequential). Physical disabilities can become almost 'just a bit of a nuisance' once, say, a wheelchair is introduced to a child who is unable to walk or a rigorous course of speech training has enabled a person to learn to speak with some clarity of word formation. Mental disabilities can often be enormously improved through parental teaching – and/or receiving a placement with a good special needs school.

Parents of children with special needs always need to try and think positive. Thinking positive not only enriches the life of the child with special needs. It also enriches the lives of the parents and other members of the family. Special needs children are usually very well loved. All should be very precious within the family unit.