1. Do You Have a Child with Special Needs?

As any parent or caregiver for children would be able to tell you, it can be very difficult to raise them. That is especially the case, however, when you are dealing with a child with special needs. In this publication, we are going to discuss some of the factors that are necessary to raise a child with special needs successfully and what is needed in order to care for them in the proper way. You will learn many factors that will allow you to care for the child’s needs and to do so while at the same time, caring for your own.

If you are already responsible for a child with special needs, you likely recognize that it takes a lot of time and attention in order to care for things in the proper way. The fact of the matter is, however, there is no one-size-fits-all solution that will allow you to care for your children in the best way possible. Of course, there are some solutions that can help you to take steps in the right direction, and as you learn more about caring for your particular situation, you will find that it becomes easier as you go along.

The first thing that we will discuss in this publication is what you might be able to expect when you are caring for a child with special needs. As you might expect, there are certain challenges that are involved and those challenges may change from one day to the next. At times, you may even face unexpected challenges that you had not considered before. We will look at some of the potential issues that could come up during the time that you are caring for the needs of the child and what you may be able to do to deal with it successfully.

We are also going to discuss some of the individual types of special needs that may be necessary for some children. Although it is impossible to cover each and every different possibility in the scope of a single publication, we will provide an overview of some of the different types of disabilities that are common among children. Here are some of the different disabilities that will be discussed for your benefit.

Physical Disabilities - One of the types of special needs children that you may have under your care is one that is dealing with a physical disability. That particular type of difficulty may be in regards to their motor skills, but it actually covers quite a few different aspects of children with special needs. We will cover some of the different types of physical disabilities that may exist and how you can cope with those disabilities successfully.

Hearing Disabilities - There are many children that have problems with their hearing, regardless of whether they are deaf or hearing impaired to a lesser degree. In either case, it can present a challenge for the parents or for any caregivers that need to take care of the children on a regular basis. We will discuss some of the factors that may be associated with children who have hearing disabilities and what you can do to help a child with this difficulty.

Visual Disabilities - When children have a problem with their sight, it can be challenging for them and for the caregiver as well. A discussion of how to deal with visual disabilities will be considered in this publication, helping you to have a more rounded overview of what your child may be going through and how you can help him or her from a young age to develop the skills that are necessary to live a full and complete life.

Learning Disabilities - There are a wide range of learning disabilities that exist among children. We will discuss some of the more common ways that learning disabilities may manifest themselves and how you can cope with the situation and help the child to succeed.

Emotional and Social Disabilities - It may be possible that your child is dealing with some form of social or emotional disability that needs to be cared for properly. There are times when it may be a temporary situation but there may also be times when it is necessary to care for the child throughout his or her life because of the social or emotional disabilities that they are experiencing.

Special Dietary Needs - When your child has some form of special dietary needs, it is important to consider the way that you care for it in the best way possible. There is a wide range of difficulties that may fall under this particular disability, and most of them will require that you care for that disability properly for the health of the child.

Along with discussing some of the different types of disabilities that may be a problem for the child, we are also going to discuss some of the financial factors that may be involved with raising a special needs child. At times, it is necessary for one or more of the caregivers to forgo full-time work in order to care for the needs of the child, and that can put even more financial strain on the family. There are some solutions available that can help you to cope with the financial problems, and once you know the solutions, you can take full advantage of them.

Although the primary focus of this publication will be on the child with special needs and how you will care for him or her properly, it is important to consider the needs of the caregiver as well. It can be quite a strain on those who are caring for children with special needs, not only in an emotional way but it can also strain your physical health as well. We will discuss the needs of the caregiver in this publication, helping you to see what is necessary in order to continue to care for the child in the best way possible.

Finally, we will discuss some of the common misconceptions that are associated with caring for a child with special needs. More than likely, you have already come across some of those misconceptions on your own and you may wonder how to address those problems when they arise. We will discuss some of the more common issues associated with a child with special needs, including some that you may come across even from family and friends.

There is no doubt that caring for a child that has special needs is going to be difficult. When it is done in the proper way, however, it truly becomes a labor of love and it is one that can benefit everyone within the family arrangement. This publication is provided to give you an overview of some of the things that you can do in order to properly care for a child that may have special needs.

2. An Overview of What to Expect

Caring for a child that has special needs is certainly a job that carries a lot of responsibility along with it. If you are a family with such a child, it is often necessary for you to address the situation and to ensure that you are taking care of things in the best way possible. In part, this requires you to look at the potential obstacles that could be a problem as you go about caring for the child’s daily needs. In addition, you also may need to consider the possibility of bringing on other caregivers. Those are some of the factors that will be discussed in this chapter.

Will You Need Additional Caregivers?

At some point or another, many caregivers for children with special needs find that they need to bring on additional caregivers in order to make sure that everything is covered properly. In part, this may be due to the needs of the child and you may not be equipped to handle some of those needs properly. You may also need to simply bring somebody in to help you if it is necessary for you to take a break.

Since there are many different factors that are associated with the care for special-needs children, having additional help lined up in advance is one of the more important things for you to do. In this section, we're going to discuss some of the different ways that you can find that assistance, although there may be some variations, depending upon your particular circumstances.

Sitters - There may be a need for a mature sitter to help from time to time to care for the needs of the child while you are caring for your own needs. A number of different options are available to assist you in finding a sitter that will be able to help in these circumstances. In some cases, it may be a form of professional childcare, and there are some providers that will provide you with the specific care that you need for the child. At other times, it may be an individual who is retired or is simply looking for something to do now that his or her children are no longer living at home.

The best thing that you can do in this regard is to carefully look through your local area and any support groups that may be available for individuals who would be able to help you. Many of those individuals are looking for extra work, and since they are already familiar with the needs of your child, they may be able to accommodate you quite nicely.

Childcare Centers - Another option that may be available is to use a local childcare center that is licensed to care for children in the area. If they are licensed, they will not be able to turn down your children because they have some form of a disability. That is written into the Americans with Disability act, and it is something that you can take advantage of. If you have a child with special needs, they will need to make the necessary modifications or changes to the practice in order to care for your child properly.

Nannies - One of the options that may be available, although it is typically more expensive than other options, is to have a live-in nanny. This individual would be one that would provide the care that your child needs on a one-on-one basis. Since they live at home, they will be able to provide full time care, although they will need a break, just as you need a break from time to time. If you don't have the space available for a live-in nanny, there are nannies that can take care of the child at your home but will live in their own home. Make sure that you choose a nanny that is able to care for the specific needs of your child.

Family - Although this is typically the first choice of many caregivers of children with special needs, it is not what I include at the top of the list. Although family may be able to assist in caring for the needs of the child, there are also some specific problems that may be associated with it, depending upon the dynamics of your family environment. If you have relatives that live in your local area and they have the availability, they may be able to assist you from time to time. It may be necessary for you to set the boundaries in advance, however, and that may also include compensating the family member for the caregiving that they provide.

Respite - In most areas, there will be the availability of respite care, although it is not going to be an option that is available for everyone or for every situation. At times, however, respite care can provide the temporary assistance that you need to simply take a necessary break. If you are unfamiliar with the options for respite care in your local area, talk to those in support groups, as they are likely more familiar with the options that are available.

The Challenges of Caring for a Special Needs Child

Although it certainly is possible to care for children with special needs and to provide them with the love and attention that is necessary to lead a quality life, there may also be some challenges that are associated with it as well. In this section, we are going to discuss some of those challenges that exist, including those that will factor in for the child and for the rest of the family as well. By being able to recognize the potential challenges of raising a child with special needs in advance, you can often do what is necessary to handle the situation in the best way possible.

One of the potential challenges that may occur in many families is that it can disrupt the family harmony and balance. Admittedly, it is difficult to have such harmony within the family arrangement today but when you have a child with special needs and the majority of your attention is focused in that direction, it becomes even more difficult.

Spouses often have problems in this regard, and it can result in tension between the spouses that causes additional tension among the family. In some cases, one of the spouses may be better at handling the situation and dealing with the needs of the child than the other. As a result of the difference, there may be some degree of disappointment in one spouse or the other that could make it difficult for them to get along.

In addition, spouses may have a difficulty when there is a child with special needs because they are not giving the necessary attention to each other. This can be a problem in and of itself, and it is relatively common for it to occur. In order to overcome that difficulty, each spouse needs to be willing to take the time and spend it on each other, rather than focusing it on the child and spending what little bit of time is left over focusing on their own needs. Such an unselfish attitude will certainly help to build the relationship between husband and wife when there is a child with special needs involved.

Problems with the siblings may also be an issue, and this is common as well. One of the obvious problems that occur among the siblings is that they become jealous of the child with special needs, due to the fact that that child is getting the majority of the attention. Perhaps it may have been that the other child received a lot of attention from the parents but once the child with special needs came onto the scene, a lot of that attention was diverted.

Again, taking an unselfish approach to the situation is going to provide the best solution available. Of course, you would never want to sacrifice the time that was necessary to care for the child with special needs, but it is also necessary for you to carve out time for the siblings as well. Perhaps this could be done on a family basis, with you having certain times of the day where you spend quality time with each other, playing games or doing other activities together.

Communication is also vitally important, not only when it comes to the children being able to voice their feelings and opinions but also in regards to the parents having open communication as well. When a lack of communication is a problem, it can frustrate everyone within the family and makes it very difficult for any unity to exist. It may take some time for you to be able to communicate properly with your spouse or with your children, but spending that necessary time is going to benefit everyone involved.

Financial problems are also a difficulty in many cases when it comes to children with special needs. Of course, the degree of financial difficulties that is experienced is going to differ from one situation to the next, but preparing for such a problem in advance may be one of the best solutions available. We will discuss the possibility of financial difficulties in another chapter of this publication in greater detail.

Another challenge that needs to be considered is the possibility that one of the parents is going to have the bulk of the work, and it could lead to stress, emotional difficulties and even burnout. At times, it is necessary for one of the parents to handle the bulk of the work, especially if the other parent is responsible for the finances of the family. That being said, it is also necessary to share the work of taking care of the child when both parents are on the scene. When the family works together, it makes it much easier for everyone to maintain their ability to continue.

There may also be a number of different difficulties that are either associated with the specific problems that the child is experiencing or with the dynamics of the family. It is impossible to be able to know every problem that could potentially occur, but simply understanding that problems are going to come up unexpectedly can go a long way in helping you to deal with them in the best way possible. Always remember to work together as a unit when handling such difficult situations, because it can make a difference in how things work out for you.

3. Physical Disabilities

There are many different ways in which a child may have special needs. Although it is impossible to discuss every different factor that could be involved, we're going to discuss some of the general ways in which special needs tend to manifest themselves in children. Over the next few chapters, a range of potential disabilities are going to be discussed along with the challenges that may be associated with each of those disabilities. This chapter, we are going to start with physical disabilities, which is a common problem for many children.

When it comes to children who have physical disabilities, there are going to be variations in what type of disabilities are seen. Some children are going to need some minor assistance in getting things done on a day-to-day basis, but others are going to need a considerable amount of assistance or perhaps even full time and dedicated care. As you continue to work with children with physical difficulties on an ongoing basis, you will quickly learn their limitations and what needs to be done in order to assist them to the best degree possible to live a full and complete life.

One of the factors that are most important to consider when it comes to children with physical difficulties is that they need to learn how to be independent. Admittedly, there are going to be some children who have special needs that include those that will never be able to be adjusted or corrected. On the other hand, there may be some ways in which the child can display independence and may be taught to care for him or herself eventually in many different ways. This is something that is going to differ from one individual to another, but helping the child to be independent can help to build self-confidence and that is something that will stick with him or her for a lifetime.

Adapting the home to accommodate the child with physical disabilities is an important factor to consider as well. This may not only include having the specific equipment that is needed on hand, it may also include making modifications to the home so that the child is safe in the environment. Here are a few of the factors that you can consider to make it possible for a child with physical disabilities to live safely in the home.

Rugs - One of the problems that may be an issue for many children is that they could have an issue with tripping hazards, including rugs. If you have rugs in the home that are loose, make sure that the edges are taped down properly to avoid the possibility of tripping.

Furniture - Not all furniture is going to be stable and some that is made for the home could easily be tipped over. When you have a child with physical disabilities and they are using the furniture to move around the home, you want to make sure that you choose furniture that is stable and will not fall over easily if they happen to brace themselves against it.

Every Day Seating - Like many children, your child with special needs may need a comfortable place to sit but your options may be limited, depending upon the needs of the child. In many cases, having a comfortable seat is going to provide what your child needs throughout most of the day. Some children may be able to sit comfortably in a chair, although a strap may be necessary to keep them from falling out of it. If the child needs a wheelchair, make sure that you have a comfortable wheelchair and that a tray is provided for their comfort as well.

Movement - Many children with physical disabilities will need a wider path through the house and may also need specific help in certain areas of the home, including the bathroom and the kitchen. Make sure that there is plenty of room available through those areas for the child with special needs to pass with whatever means of motivation they have at the time.

4. Hearing Disabilities

When you have a child who has hearing difficulties, it can provide a list of challenges that are quite unique. After all, the sense of hearing is important for many aspects of life and it is not only going to limit what the child hears, it can make it difficult for him or her to learn how to speak and eventually, to be able to communicate effectively with others. When you are dealing with a special needs child that has a hearing disability, there are some things that you can do that will help him or her to lead a full life.

One of the most important things to consider when it comes to a child with hearing disabilities is that he or she is not going to be limited if you factor everything in properly. Although the child may not be able to hear, he will learn how to communicate and as a result, can continue to take in information in the way of learning and can lead a full life.

One of the most important things to consider is teaching the child how to communicate. Although many children with hearing disabilities are going to learn how to speak sign language, it is also possible to teach a child who is deaf to speak. In either case, it is going to require a significant amount of effort on your part, and it is going to require that you learn to speak sign language as well. When you understand sign language, the child will be able to communicate more effectively with you and it can help you as a caregiver to better meet the child’s needs.

The entire family is going to need to be involved when it comes to communicating with the child with a hearing disability as well. It can be an interesting family project for all of you to learn sign language together. When the family understands sign language, it can really help with communication, even among the children who are able to hear properly. It is also a skill that they will be able to carry with them for the rest of their life.

Many caregivers who have children with hearing problems are going to want to protect them from harm. Although it is a natural inclination of the caregiver to want to protect the child, it is also important to make sure that you don't shelter the child to the point where he or she is not able to interact with other children. When at all possible, allow the child to interact and play with the other children, as it will help him to be better balanced throughout his lifetime.

It is also important to recognize that not every child who has a hearing problem is going to be completely deaf. In fact, it is relatively common for newborns to have a certain degree of hearing loss, with about 15% of all newborns experiencing some loss of hearing. About 4000 children born in the United States annually, however, are going to have significant problems with deafness.

If you have a child that is experiencing partial hearing loss, it can interfere with his or her ability to learn and to communicate. One of the things that you can do in order to improve that ability to communicate and to learn effectively is to reduce any additional noise that may be part of the environment. Background noise is typically something that most of us can drown out but when children have mild hearing loss, it can keep them from hearing what needs to be heard. Anything that can be done to reduce noise in the home may help in that regard.

It has been said that communication is only about 7% verbal, but when it comes to dealing with a special needs child with hearing disabilities, you need to make sure that your nonverbal cues are easily identified by the child. In some cases, tapping the table or stomping your foot may be all that is necessary to get the child's attention, as he or she will be able to feel the vibration. Waving your hand or arm may also help, as long as it is appropriate for the situation. You may also find that it is easy to get the attention of the child if you flip the lights on and off several times.

At times, getting the attention of the child may be more of an emergency situation and it is important for both you and the child to have a signal available in the event of an emergency.

Caring for a child with hearing disabilities is possible, and you will find that the child continues to grow and learn as you continue to work with him. You may also find that it is necessary to get support from time to time, either in caring for the child or and simply having someone to talk to when you are under stress. There are support groups available in most areas for caregivers with children who have hearing difficulties. You may find that it is beneficial to sit in on their meetings from time to time.

5. Visual Disabilities

Having a child who is struggling with visual disabilities can be quite a challenge. After all, the sense of sight is vitally important for many different parts of life, and a child that is having a difficulty with vision may find it difficult to keep up with other children who are the same age. In addition, vision is an important part of learning and your child may have a difficulty walking or even communicating effectively. In this chapter, we are going to look at a few of the challenges associated with caring for a child with visual impairment.

One important factor that often needs to be considered is that a test may be given to the child to determine the degree of vision impairment. This is often done with someone known as a vision impairment specialist or a teacher that specializes in teaching children who are visually impaired. It may take multiple sessions in order to completely diagnose the child but from a young age, having such a diagnosis can help you to have a plan in place so that you can provide the proper care for your child from that point forward.

One important factor for working with the child who has visual disabilities is to work with motor skills. It can often be difficult for a child who has visual disturbances to develop the proper balance and other motor skills that will help them throughout life. Working with children in this regard can provide them with what they need to care for themselves to the greatest degree possible.

From a very young age, you can begin to help the child to develop motor skills by carrying him or her with you as you move about your day-to-day activities. This helps to imbue a sense of balance, even if the child is in a sling or other carrier. Allowing children to stay on their stomach for extended amounts of time can also help them to develop balance as they lift their head up off the ground from that position. Providing some support as they sit or try to stand may also help them to develop motor skills.

As a child gets older and begins to learn how to walk, you can also provide the necessary assistance. Remember that walking can be very difficult for a child who has visual disabilities, so it is going to take some patience on your part. When at all possible, give the child the opportunity to walk and to do so in many different areas, including outside. You should also not limit the child to walking on even surfaces. Try to get them to balance themselves regularly. One easy way to encourage balance is by using a rebounder.

You can also help to orient the child to your household by being able to recognize the differences from one room to another. It could be the feel of the different types of floor within the home or perhaps the sound of road noise outside, which gets louder when they are in the area. You can also use the sense of smell to recognize different areas of the home, such as things baking in the kitchen. As the child gets more comfortable with the surroundings within the home, it makes it easier for him or her to move about.

One of the difficulties that some visually impaired children experience is that they are unable to see you so that they can imitate what you are doing. Children tend to learn through imitating their parents and others around them, so it is important for you to provide them with what is necessary so that they can "see" you, even if they can't see. This is especially important when it comes to social skills, which are often difficult for children who are visually impaired. Learning how to take turns with other children or even how to ask them to play can be of benefit to them now and throughout the rest of their life.

When most children go on field trips or visit other areas of interest, they tend to take everything in through their sense of sight. For children that are experiencing any type of visual disabilities, however, it can make it difficult for them to get the most out of those situations. One of the ways for you to be able to deal with this is to help them to see the things that are in front of them by exploring them in different ways. It is important for children to get to know the world around them and allowing them to experience the world through their other senses is one way to do it.

As you continue to work with the child with special needs, you will learn more about what he or she needs in order to develop and to continue to learn. At times, this would require that you adjust your approach and the way that you are working with them. You will find that children who are visually impaired are able to do quite well, if you help them with their motor skills and to discover the world around them through their other senses.

6. Learning Disabilities

Caring for a child with learning disabilities presents its own unique set of challenges. In many cases, however, it is possible to rise above the challenges and to be successful at helping the child to grow to be a productive and happy individual as an adult. In this chapter, we will discuss some of the different factors that may be associated with learning difficulties and how you, as the caregiver, can assist them in the best way possible.

Most of the difficulties with learning problems show up during the grade school years, although there are times when it may be known from an early age that the child is having problems. In almost every case, early detection is going to provide the best opportunity for dealing with it in a successful way. Even if the child is older when it is discovered, however, it is still possible to deal with the situation effectively.

There may be a number of different signs that a child may display, which could show that he or she is dealing with some type of learning disability. In some cases, it is a matter of being easily distracted, or the child may have a short attention span in comparison with other children of the same age. Some children may have difficulties with solving problems, remembering things or perhaps in making the transition from one activity to another. Many children who have learning disabilities prefer to play with younger children, and they may speak in a way that is similar to a younger child as well. Of course, displaying these characteristics is not always going to show that the child has a problem, but it is important for you to discuss any of these problems with a professional.

In many cases, children who have learning disabilities are going to be able to learn the same things as other children but they tend to progress in their learning at a much slower rate. This can create problems when you are a caregiver for a child with learning disabilities and also are caring for other children that do not have such problems. You need to make sure that you are tailoring the way that you are teaching the child in a way that will be specific to his or her needs without affecting the way that you are teaching the other children that may live in the household.

At times, keeping things as simple as possible is going to be of benefit when dealing with such a child. This would be this situation when choosing any type of activity, regardless of whether it is puzzles, blocks or games. You want to look beyond the age appropriateness of these items into something that is appropriate for the child. You may also find that it is beneficial to work on an activity for a shorter amount of time and then come back to it later. This will help to keep with the attention span of the child, which may be shorter in some cases.

Above all, it is not only important for you to tell the child how to do something; you also actually need to show him how to do it. It may even be necessary for you to take the child by the hand and to walk him through the process, paying particular attention to even the smallest steps within the process. In addition, you will likely need to let the child know ahead of time when the activity that you are taking part in is changing so that he can know in advance and make the change effectively.

There are different degrees of learning difficulties, and it can be a challenge for the entire family. That challenge is not only going to be seen when it comes to the way that the child is learning, it may be seen in the way that he or she acts and interacts with other members of the household. That is why it is often important for you to work on the social skills of the child and to pay particular attention in how he or she is interacting with others. It is a life skill that will be of benefit now and for the rest of life as well.

Your influence and the influence of the rest of your family are going to be very important in the life of a child that is suffering from learning difficulties. In many cases, it is possible for a parent or other caregiver who is not particularly skilled at handling such a disability to learn what is necessary and to approach the situation properly. It may also be necessary, at times, for you to be the voice of your child and to be there when he or she needs special assistance.

Dealing with a child who has learning difficulties may be a challenge, but it is not a challenge that is insurmountable. By paying attention to the child and meeting his or her needs, you will find that it is often possible to have such a child lead a healthy and productive life.

7. Emotional and Social Disabilities

Although there are many different ways that a child can be affected with various disabilities, one of the more complex problems involves emotional and social disabilities. When a child experiences this type of disability, it can often be a problem that is difficult for both the child and the caregiver to manage. After all, many children that suffer from social and emotional disabilities have the intelligence and the ability to learn in line with other children their age, but they may be lacking the social skills or other factors that would allow them to do so in the same setting.

In many cases, the caregiver begins to notice different social or emotional disabilities within the child from a very young age. They may manifest themselves in a variety of different ways, causing problems for the child and for other members within the household. Being able to identify the problem early will often help in finding the solution that will work for the child. At other times, ongoing effort on the part of the caregiver may be necessary to help correct the problem to the greatest extent possible. The following are some ways in which a child may experience these types of problems.

Aggression - It is not uncommon for children with social or emotional disabilities to display aggression, either toward their caregiver or toward others that are in their household. This aggression may also be shown to other children when they are in the same setting. Controlling aggression is important on a number of different levels, and it often requires patience on the part of the caregiver. In addition, a problem with aggression may require the assistance of a qualified professional.

Withdrawal - It is also relatively common for a child who is suffering from these types of disabilities to withdrawal as well. It can make it very difficult for such children to continue in an educational setting, where they are typically around many other children. Socializing the children requires special treatment, and again, it may be necessary to bring in a professional to assist you.

Activity - There are a number of different disabilities that could lead to a child displaying an excessive amount of activity. These problems are addressed in a number of different ways, depending upon the condition that is problematic and on the needs of the child. It can be challenging for the caregiver to deal with a child that has a high activity level, but when you display patience and work with the child regularly, the results can be dramatic.

In many cases, it is necessary for you to work with the child in a way that will address his attention span properly. This may include restricting how frequently you take part in a certain activity or how long that activity lasts. In addition, any type of distraction that could cause a problem with one of these children needs to be avoided, which is going to take some considerable forethought on your part.

If you recognize that a child with one of these disabilities is having a good day or even a good moment, you want to make sure that you take advantage of that situation as soon as possible. It can be an excellent time for you to take part in some activity with the child that is going to help the two of you to bond or to help your child to learn.

At times, children may experience a certain level of sensory overload if they are provided with too many choices. This is especially a problem for children with social or emotional disabilities. Limiting how many toys they have at their disposal or how many different options are available for them throughout the day may help these children to cope with their problems.

Finally, it may just be necessary for you to address the problems with the child and to give them their space from time to time. Although you would not want to always do so, having the option available for the child in case he is having a bad day or a bad time during the day can help things to go much more smoothly overall.

8. Special Dietary Needs

At times, it may be necessary to give special attention to the dietary needs of a child that is under your care. This may be due to specific types of illnesses, as the diet may have an effect on their symptoms. In addition, there are many children that have difficulties with allergies and some of those allergies can be quite severe. Caring for children that have special dietary needs properly would require that you pay attention to what you are feeding them but also to pay attention to what they receive when they are not under your direct care.

One of the problems that may be evident is if the child has an illness that causes him or her to have specific dietary needs. For example, if a child were suffering from celiac disease, it would be necessary to provide a gluten-free diet in order to help reduce the symptoms significantly. Gluten-free diets may also be necessary for other conditions as well, and there is some thought that it may help to reduce epileptic seizures in some children who suffer from epilepsy. There may be other illnesses that require special dietary needs as well.

Another reason why there may be a need to watch the diet of the child is if they have food allergies. Some of the more common food allergies that children may suffer from include milk, wheat, soy, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts. Even if the child has a mild allergy to some of these foods, it can quickly become problematic if he or she has a severe reaction. Unfortunately, it is never known when someone may have a severe reaction and it could lead to a life-threatening situation very quickly.

The difficulty with allergic reactions to food is that it could lead to anaphylaxis, which is a very severe allergic reaction. When a child has anaphylaxis, it is possible that the throat could close, and it may make it difficult or impossible for the child to breathe. Other symptoms of this type of allergic reaction can include swollen face, swollen lips, rash, raspy breath, dizziness, nausea or a weak or rapid pulse.

If these symptoms display themselves, it is vitally important that you react quickly. Typically, a child with severe food allergies will be given a prescription for an EpiPen by their physician. It is a shot that you can give to the child and it will help to reduce the symptoms that they are experiencing and may help them to breathe easier. It is important to understand, however, that an EpiPen is not a cure for the allergic reaction. It simply blocks the histamine that the body is producing temporarily. An EpiPen is a short-term relief option that should be used in the event of an emergency, but you should get the child to the hospital quickly or contact emergency medical personnel right away.

Unfortunately, some types of food allergies can easily be a problem if your child is eating in another location. For example, he or she may go to a party with a friend, and the cake that is served could have tree nuts or peanuts that are included in the recipe. It only takes a small amount of the allergen to cause an allergic reaction, so it is important for you to be an advocate for the child and to make sure that the hosts are not going to be serving something that could cause a serious problem.

A similar problem may arise within the school system, so it is very important that you discuss the special dietary needs of your child with those in charge of the dietary system in the school before your child starts attending. Although you may be able to pack a special lunch that would be safe for your child to eat, you always need to be cautious that they would eat something while at school that could cause a reaction. Make sure that those within the school system are aware of what your child can eat and know how to handle it if the child has a reaction.

It can be challenging to care for children with special dietary needs, but it is possible to do it successfully. More than anything, it requires that you remain alert to potential problems that exist in the world around them. That is true when they are under your care, and it is true when they are elsewhere as well.

9. Considering the Financial Problems Involved

The challenges that face parents who are dealing with a child with special needs can be quite overwhelming. Although being a parent of any child can be difficult, the needs of a child with disabilities can extend far beyond those of other children. In this chapter, we will take a look at some of the financial needs of caring for a child with disabilities and some options that may be available to help you.

One of the many different things that you may be concerned about during this time is whether you're going to be able to afford what is necessary to care for the child properly. Not only do you need to be concerned about paying for therapy or other special care that your child may need at this point in life, you also need to consider what will happen to the child once he or she has grown into adulthood. In addition, you may be concerned about who is going to care for the child if something should happen to you or your spouse. These are valid concerns, but with proper planning, it may help to reduce the anxiety that you are experiencing.

One important thing to consider in this regard is having a will that will make your desires for your existing assets very specific when it comes to the needs of your child. The last thing that you would want to have happen is for your finances to be tied up in the court system and perhaps to be directed elsewhere. You may also be able to name a specific guardian within the will so that you know your child will be cared for during that time.

Creating a trust is also an important factor that will help to serve a child with special needs for many years. Some people delay setting up a trust because they don't have any money at this time to put into it, but it is best if you have one established now and then pay into it when you're able to do so. In addition, if you have a life insurance policy, you can set up the trust to be the beneficiary of the policy. This helps to benefit the child, because it keeps him or her from having to declare the money as income and losing the federal benefits.

When you set up a trust, it is also important to establish a trustee. This will be the individual that will care for the needs of the child and manage the trust effectively once you're gone. This is especially beneficial if you have a life insurance policy and the trust is going to have a considerable amount of money in it. Give special consideration to who the trustee would be and try to separate the trustee and the guardian to avoid some potential problems.

Are there people who are familiar with your child's day-to-day activities? If something should happen to you and you are no longer able to care for your child, will they be able to keep the same routine? One of the factors that can help in this regard is to draft a formal document known as a letter of intent. Within the letter of intent, you would put detailed information about what the child does on a daily basis and how they are cared for. You would also include contact information for family members and medical personnel as well as writing information about their medication.

Do you have a savings account? Obviously, it can be difficult to save money when you are struggling to get by from day-to-day but if you are able to put something aside every month, it can go a long way in helping to cover any unexpected expenses that happen to come up. The savings should be kept in your name and you should specify within the will where the money is to go. Don't put the money in your child's name, since it could affect his or her benefits.

Although it can be difficult to care for the financial needs of the family and the financial needs of the child with a disability, it is not impossible. There are government programs available to assist you and depending upon the disability, your child may also be able to apply for Social Security benefits or for disability. When the entire family pulls together and you make smart financial decisions, it can work to the benefit of the child.

10. Understanding the Needs of the Caregiver

As we discussed many times in this publication, it can be very stressful and time-consuming to care for a child that has special needs. In many cases, it tends to tie up the time of the caregivers to the extent where it affects them both physically and mentally. That is why it is important to consider the care of the caregivers and to keep their needs in mind. Here are some of the things that you should remember when you are a caregiver and it seems as if all of your time is gone, with none left to spend on yourself.

Caring for the needs of a child with a disability can certainly affect your emotional well-being, and it puts a damper on your social life as well. It is important to consider, however, that your physical health is also impaired in many cases when all of your time is tied up into caring for a child with disabilities. In this chapter, we are going to look at 3 different ways that you can care for your needs and to do so without neglecting the needs of the child.

Emotional Needs - Since so much of your time is tied up with taking care of the child, it may make you feel as if you are really of little concern. Many of the people around you, including medical personnel, your friends and even your family may look beyond you and directly to the child that is having difficulties. The fact of the matter is, however, you need attention as well, and if those needs are not addressed, sooner or later, it is going to affect the care that you are giving to the child.

There is nothing wrong with thinking about your own emotional needs, and when you are dealing with a special needs child, you certainly will have emotions that are attached to it. In fact, there are common feelings that are associated with caregivers and if you find that it is a problem for you, it is best if you seek assistance professionally.

One of the problems that many caregivers experience is a problem with ongoing sadness or clinical depression. You may feel as if you have a difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, and it can affect your appetite, as well as your sleeping habits. If you tend to cry frequently or struggle with a lack of motivation and feelings of worthlessness, it is best to contact a professional and talk about your problems.

Anxiety and perhaps even anger are some other common emotions that are experienced by caregivers. You may feel as if you are constantly worrying about things that you are unable to do anything about, and it may even annoy you and make you irritable. This is a perfectly normal response when caring for a child with special needs.

One other way that being a caregiver can affect you emotionally is by making you feel guilty. You may constantly feel as if you've done something wrong, or you might agonize over feelings and thoughts that you are having, even though they are perfectly normal. You may even blame yourself for the illness in some way or another. These emotions may be common, but they should be something that is considered with professional help.

Physical Needs - The problems that you may experience when you are a caregiver can be quite significant and can end up affecting your physical health along with your emotional health. Many individuals that are caregivers tend to forgo sleep or eat on the run in order to continue to keep up with the needs of the child. In reality, ignoring your own physical needs can end up harming the child, because you will be unable to maintain such a rigid schedule.

Your diet is vitally important when you are caring for a child with disabilities. Although you are not going to be able to eat perfectly throughout every day, you should try to eat three balanced meals every day that includes some form of protein, a moderate amount of starch and some fruits and vegetables. Opt for healthy snacks if you need them rather than reaching for something sugary to keep you going. Finally, make sure that you are drinking enough water every day.

Fatigue can be a real problem for individuals that are caring for a disabled child. Although it can be difficult to get enough sleep at night and your sleep may be interrupted for the needs of the child, you need to try to get as much sleep as possible. If necessary, adjust your sleeping patterns to match those of the child and try to rest when possible. You may also want to look for someone to come in and help you for a few hours so that you can get some uninterrupted sleep from time to time.

There is no doubt that exercising can benefit you and the child when it comes to care that you provide. Although it may be difficult for you to carve out a portion of your day to exercise regularly, it can help you to have more mental clarity and more energy, and you will be better able to care for the child regularly. It isn't necessary for you to go to the gym and exercise for hours in order to see benefits. Some simple calisthenics every day for approximately 20 minutes will work wonders.

Relaxation - Finally, it is necessary for you to ensure that you are getting the rest and relaxation that you need. We have already discussed the need to get plenty of sleep at night, but there are going to be times when you need a break during the waking hours as well. If you find that you are unable to get the relaxation that you need, at least try to get 10 minutes a few times a day of meditation time so that you can relax and allow the pressures of the day to wash away. When possible, schedule time to pamper yourself as well with outside services, including massages or perhaps a facial.

11. Myths and Mistakes - What are People Saying?

Throughout the pages of this publication, we have discussed many factors that would help you to provide for a child who has special needs because of a disability or other problems. More than likely, you’re also going to hear some statements made about children with disabilities that are outright wrong. In this chapter, we are going to discuss some of the myths associated with disability and the truth that is behind what people are saying.

Myth – Mentally retarded children are devoid of feeling or emotion.

Truth – In reality, children who are mentally retarded have the same emotions as you and me, and in some cases they may even have emotions that run deeper as a result of the disability.

Myth – Children who are mentally retarded or violent and will be violent throughout their lives.

Truth – Although some children who are mentally retarded do grow up to be violent or are criminals, the statistics show that they are no more likely to display that type of behavior in adulthood than any other children.

Myth – Cerebral palsy and Spina Bifida children are always retarded.

Truth – Most children who haves Spina bifida are not mentally retarded unless they have hydrocephalus and it is not properly controlled. Most children with cerebral palsy have normal levels of intelligence but they may be limited to a certain extent when it comes to performance.

Myth – If the child has motor impairment he or she is also retarded.

Truth – When the child has difficulty with motor impairment, it is a physical problem that involves the movement of the body. It is not a problem that is directly related with mental retardation, although there may be times when both are seen in the same child.

Myth – Children who cannot hear will never speak.

Truth – It is possible for children who have difficulties with hearing to speak very well, provided they are given proper speech therapy.

Myth – All children who have learning disabilities are retarded.

Truth – Learning disabilities can differ from one child to another and not all children who have learning disabilities are mentally retarded. There may be times, however, when children may give some of the signs of being retarded if they have learning disabilities but that is typically due to the situation not being handled properly.

Myth – When children are blind, they have more acute senses such as touch, hearing and smell.

Truth – Children that are born blind or become blind in their early childhood may be able to use their other senses to a greater degree but that doesn’t mean that they have better senses than you do.

Myth – It is inappropriate to ask children about their disability.

Truth – There is nothing wrong with asking appropriate questions to the children or their parents. It can help to limit misunderstandings about their disability.