What You Can Do to Help Special Needs Children in Your FamilyFamily and extended family members, often times do not know how to relate to the special needs child.They shy away from contact with them and they look at them as people who are static and who are able only to grow physically but not intellectually or emotionally. This is a myth; special-needs children, like all typical children, will acquire high self-esteem and grow intellectually when they get the appropriate help and are respected for who they are. Here are some things to keep in mind when there is a special needs child in the family: Do's: 1. Do be friendly and inviting to special needs cousins, nieces and nephews.
Special-needs children are often lonely with only a few friends. This is usually the result of poor social skills and low self-esteem. For some children though, the school best suited to their needs might be out of the area, consequently any possible friends may not be living nearby. Therefore every invitation will help ease their loneliness. 2. Do try to remember their special occasions, such as birthdays, first day at school etc. 3. At family get-togethers plan something constructive for them to do.
He also wants to be a part of the fun. Get him to help prepare, serve or clean up in accordance with his abilities. He'll feel great as the "waiter". Compliments should follow – sincere praise. 4. Do invite them for weekends, vacations etc.
NOBODY likes to be alone and extended family can play a vital role in giving the special needs child a feeling of belonging. Invite him over on Sundays or during vacation. This may not be so easy, and will require effort and good-will. However it will be tremendously appreciated. An invitation for a weekend would be a special treat. Offering to take them along for an outing or family trip is also exciting. Tony and Denis are special-needs brothers who have learning disabilities and impaired social social skills. At ages 20 and 24 respectively, all of their few friends who befriended them from the local neighbourhood have disappeared from the scene. Both Tony and Denis work in factories and are doing low-paid but productive work. However they have almost no social life. Spare time, weekends and vacations are a nightmare for them.An older cousin suggested taking them for a two day trip during the summer. It was a great success and this cousin has promised to make it an annual event. More of these kind of offers more often would help relieve part of the problem. 5. Do give genuine compliments to the parents. Everyone loves to hear compliments. If he was over your house for an Sunday call the parents and tell them something good that he did or something smart that he said. By doing this, you will lighten their burden by helping them feel better about their child. Dont's: 1. Don't criticize the special child.
Criticism will have an adverse effect.This is true for all children and especially for those with low self-esteem. There are positive ways to encourage change and improvement. In addition to this, a relative is not a parent, and is therefore not in a position to exercise authority over the child. 2. Don't compare the special-needs child to his siblings, cousins or other children.
Special-needs children have their own unique set of circumstances, challenges and difficulties which makes it impossible and unreasonable to compare them with other children who do not have to cope with these challenges. Remember: at the core of every special needs child is a "typical" child. Focus on this part of him and you will make it easier for him, his parents and the whole family. Do you feel overwhelmed with your special needs children. Click here for some tips To Find out what to do if a critically ill child is wreaking havoc in your family. Click here To learn the secret for families with special needs children to cope just click. Discover a 5 Step Plan to Build Self Esteem In Learning Disabled Children. Learn 4 Things To Look For In an Expert In Teaching The Learning Disabled. |