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Parenting Children with Special Needs

Family
Caregiving Approaches Self-Care and Wellness Special Needs

Expanding Your Parenting Toolkit

Parenting a child is perhaps one of the most challenging tasks we will face during our lifetime. In addition to the usual stresses and strains of parenthood, parents of children with special needs face additional pressures and must learn to cope with challenges in ways that will enhance, rather than hinder, the growth of their child. Covered in this guide:

  • Getting a diagnosis – what next?
  • Advocating for your child’s needs
  • Accessing services
  • Resources for child care
  • Additional parenting resources
  • Specialized resources based on your child’s diagnosis

Connect with a SpecialistInclusive Child Care

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Upcoming Workshop - How to Be a Disability Ally and Build an Accessible Future

March 2, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.During this conversation with AccessABILITY, we will talk about what we can actually do to build an accessible future and how to practice inclusion in daily life.
Register
Getting a diagnosis

What next?

At the time of diagnosis, there are several things you can do to prepare you for this lifelong journey.

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Do your research

One of the first things you can do is to collect information about your child’s disability, about the services that are available, and about the specific things you can do to help your child develop to the fullest extent possible.

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Find out about services

There are a variety of services available to you and your family–many of these are possible due to legislation at the federal and state levels. Continue reading to learn more about the special education laws and programs near you.

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Access care and education

All parents, at some time, will probably need to find care for their child in some form. Whether you are choosing a child care program, respite care, developmental preschool, or elementary school, we are here to help!

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Connect with other families

Much of the information that will be helpful to you is in the hands, heads, and hearts of other parents like yourself. For this reason, it is worthwhile to join a parent’s group. We can help guide you in the right direction as you make that decision.

Central Indy's Resource for Families

Parenting a Child with Special Needs

Many parents wish their children came with instruction booklets. For caretakers of a child with disabilities, this feeling may be magnified. Our resource guide will help you navigate the many supports available in Central Indiana and discover answers to your many questions, including information on local advocacy organizations, accessing the Medicaid Family Supports Waiver, obtaining information on early intervention and school-based therapies, and much more!
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Advocating for Your Child's Needs

Parents are natural advocates for their children. As their advocate you may need to find information, go to meetings or appointments, share information, and collaborate with caregivers and teachers.

What does it mean to be your child's advocate?

Advocates gather facts and information. As you gather information and organize documents, you learn about you child’s disability and educational needs.

Learn All You Can About Your Child’s Disability

Gain knowledge from their child’s doctors, specialists, special education experts, teachers, and anyone else who can provide information. Also as important, parents can connect with both individuals with disabilities and others parenting children with similar needs.

Ask Lots of Questions and Listen to Answers

Become like a reporter: Ask questions like, “who, what, where, when, why and when” and then listen carefully to the answers you receive. Research relevant questions and then document responses instead of simply relying on your memory.

Advocates are problem-solvers

Be a problem-solver rather than a problem-maker. Work together to solve problems with your child’s teacher or child care providers by proposing solutions. Be open-minded and hear proposed solutions from the educational side as well – since children behave differently in different settings. Create a possible plan that works best for child in all environments, including both at home and at school.

Helping your child self-advocate

From an early age, many children with special needs can advocate for themselves by saying no or making simple choices. But self-advocating might be hard if your child doesn’t understand the situation, the processes or their rights, or they don’t feel confident to speak up.

Here are some ways to help children learn to advocate for themselves.
  • Build your child’s confidence by giving them the independence to do things on their own and to speak up and use their voice. One way to do this is by reading stories with your child about characters who stand up for themselves and others.
  • Listen to your child. You can show your child that you’ve heard and understood by summarizing what they’ve said, validating their emotions, and being present. Provide the necessary supports for your child to express themselves as needed.
  • Support your child to speak up. You can support your child by preparing them to express their point of view and ask for what they need. Back them up when they have an issue and let them know you support them no matter what.

Parenting Support Groups

accessABILITY is committed to empowering people with disabilities to maintain control over their lives and offers a group where parents come together to support and empower each other as we raise our children with disabilities.

Register

Connecting Caregivers – Statewide virtual parenting support group, hosted by the Autism Society of Indiana, for individuals parenting children on the autism spectrum.

Register

Easter Seals Crossroads Autism Family Support Group is for parents, grandparents, and caregivers of individuals with autism. This group meets at Easterseals Crossroads on the third Wednesday of each month from 5-7 p.m.

Autism Family Resource Center

If you are aware of a parenting support group for children with disabilities, please contact us to be added to the list.

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Featured Video

Special Needs Panel

Hear from representatives from Autism Learning Partners, Down Syndrome Indiana, EasterSeals Crossroads, Family Voices Indiana, and IN*Source, all who serve the special needs population.

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Advocating for Your Child's Needs: Challenging Behaviors

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How to Advocate and Empower your Child with accessABILITY- Coming Soon!

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Communicating With Schools: Collaborative Strategies for Positive Outcomes

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Jamie went above and beyond helping with some difficulties we encountered! Between reaching out to my kid’s daycare provider and contacting myself, we got things figured out quickly! I can’t thank her enough for her help!
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Accessing Services

Early Intervention: Birth-Age 3

There are lots of skills that develop in the first three years of a child’s life. Some infants and toddlers meet developmental milestones more slowly than expected. This is called a developmental delay. Early intervention can help infants and toddlers with delays catch up in their development.

If you have concerns about your child’s development or want to seek an evaluation, connect with your local First Steps program, Indiana’s Early Intervention provider.

First Steps
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Accessing Services

Inclusive Child Care

Early childhood inclusion means all children have access to high-quality early childhood programs. With access, they gain membership and meaningful participation in a learning community. Inclusion in high-quality care supports the right of all children and their families to find a sense of belonging. 

Our Inclusive Child Care page gives you guidance on the best ways to learn your child’s rights and how to choose a program that best fits your child’s needs.

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Accessing Services

Special Education Through Your School System

Once your child turns three years old they may qualify for services through your local school system. For children ages three through Kindergarten-aged, developmental preschool provides a part-time educational option that includes both social-emotional learning and access to assigned therapies. Once your child enters K-12, they will receive full day special education.

Every state has parent education and information centers that serve families of children with all types of disabilities. Indiana’s resource center is InSource.

Read More
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Special Ed 101

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Transition out of First Steps

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Understanding Medicaid Waivers

Medicaid Waivers

The Family Services Waiver through Medicaid provides families money for therapies and services, including ABA, respite care, and so much more!
Apply Today
Working with your child's care providers

Resources for Child Care

PDF Resource

Individualized Feeding Plan

This printable feeding plan allows you and your child's care team to identify feeding needs and goals within child care.
Download
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PDF Guide

Toilet Training Planning Form

Ready to begin the potty training your child? Use this tool to outline your child's needs related to the toileting routine and environment.
Download
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PDF Resource

Individualized Care Plan

Use this tool to communicate your child's strengths, needs, and goals to your child care program.
Download
More support for you and your child

Additional parenting resources

Whether it is getting out into your local community to explore and interact with others or implement a system of visuals to support your child’s behaviors, we have you covered. Check out these resources or search a variety of parenting topics in our resource center.

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Accessible and inclusive playgrounds

Looking for a playground where children of all abilities can play in the same space? Indy's Child lists local inclusive playgrounds where you can find equipment for all physical abilities and play experiences that meet a variety of needs and interests.
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Managing Behaviors

Visit our resource center for ideas and suggestion for those times when you're not quite sure how to handle or prevent challenging behaviors. Topics include:
  • Managing behaviors
  • Understanding behaviors and emotions
  • Toddler behaviors and emotions
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Visual Supports

Visual supports can help to provide structure and routine, improve understanding, avoid frustration, and offer opportunities to interact with others.
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Guiding and Responding to Behaviors

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Toilet Training Children with Special Needs

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Growing in Purposeful Parenting

Featured Resource

Toileting Supports for Children with Special Needs

Download our toileting guidebook for more information on supporting the development of toileting skills in your child, tips on beginning the process, a list of disability-specific resources, and ready-to-use printable forms to complete alongside your care team.
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Your Child’s Unique Needs

Not all “special needs” are the same needs. Each child is different, and advice on how to parent them will likely differ based on your child’s diagnosis. Check out these expert tips for guidance on your family’s unique situation.

  • Overcoming obstacles while traveling with people who have ASD: When by car or plane, there are many benefits to traveling with a child on the autism spectrum. Get solutions for common obstacles and how to plan accordingly.
  • ADHD parenting tips: Learn how you help your child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) overcome daily challenges, channel their energy into positive arenas, and bring greater calm to your family.
  • Helping your child with anxiety: These pointers from the Child Mind Institute can help you guide your children to  manage the cycle of anxiety and face their fears.
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Seizure Spotlight

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Down Syndrome 101

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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in a Nutshell

Related News & Stories

Read more from our team of experts.

News & Stories

Autism Awareness: Putting Children First

April 15, 2018
News & Stories

Hearing Loss and Language Development in Young Children

August 6, 2015
News & Stories

Become a Children’s Mental Health Advocate

May 22, 2017
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Count on our newsletters to get you the most important early care and education news, when you need it. We send a different newsletter each month to either families, child care professionals, or communities/employers. Sign up for one or all today!
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