When a child with special needs is born into a family, the parents often experience shock, grief and a whole slew of other emotions. They usually will come to a point of acceptance, but at first it is a very difficult thing to grasp. However, when adoptive parents choose to parent a special needs child, they have the advantage of knowing in advance and they have the chance to prepare themselves. Often, this has the dual purpose of being a great way to be productive and to fill the time while you wait for your adoption to be completed. There are a number of things that you should do while preparing to parent your special needs child.
Research, Research, Research
One of the most important things when preparing for your special needs child is to research. You need to know everything you can about your child’s special needs. Take the time to research the cause of the special need, treatments and therapies that are available, etc. It will be your responsibility to advocate for your child and you won’t be able to do that if you are not knowledgeable about your child’s needs.
Education
Chances are that your child’s special need(s) will affect them, at least somewhat, when it comes to learning. Whether your child needs special accommodations or if a disability makes learning itself difficult, it is important that you prepare for this. If your child will be attending a public or private school, then you need to talk to the educators there about how to make things work there for your child. If you plan to homeschool, then you may need to purchase special curriculum or research new methods of teaching.
Community Resources
Don’t forget to find out what resources are available in your community. There may be parent groups, classes, play groups or other things that are available to help support you and your child as you navigate the world of their special needs.
Home and Family
You may also need to make adjustments within your home. You may have to remodel or arrange furniture in order to make your home more manageable. It is possible that you will need to change your schedule to allow time for doctor’s appointments or therapy. Try to prepare for any changes that you know will need to be done and then also be flexible that more changes may need to happen later.
Note: Check out our Special Needs Blog for information on specific special needs.