Knowing when to ask for help

May 27, 9:45 PMSpecial Needs Parenting ExaminerFredrica Brister

Previous

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Special Needs Parenting Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Being the parent of a special needs child can be trying and pressing and difficult. On any given day, your child can have a slew of behaviors, problems, and issues that concern you. It can be worrisome, it can be chaotic, and it can be overwhelming. 

We are expected to be a perfect parent who never messes up, never needs instructions, and don’t need the help of outsiders in order to know what to do for our child.  Because of pride and stigma, it can be difficult to ask for help.

As the parent of a special needs child, you face challenges most ordinary parents never dream exist. If you’re allowing other parents’ opinions, your own pride, or worse yet, the opinion of someone who has never been a parent keep you from reaching out for help, you are doing your child and yourself a great injustice.

The following factors are indicators it’s time to ask for help:

           Your child has an increase in frequency or severity of behaviors,

           Your child begins to display new bothersome behaviors,

           There is no progress in reducing maladaptive behaviors,

            You feel out of control and unable to deal with your child’s behaviors,

           You or others feel unsafe in your child’s presence, or

           Seeking help is suggested by your primary care physician, your child’s teacher, or other professional who has an  invested interest in your child.

The most important thing to remember is that when you do ask for help, you’re doing so out of the best interest for your child and doing so does not make you a bad parent.  In fact, asking help is not a sign of weakness, but is a sign of strength.