One of the greatest gifts in life is a child, though it requires an enormous amount of work. If you have a special needs child, the difficulties can be greater, as can the rewards. Parenting any child requires a delicate balance of loving guidance, discipline, support and patience. Many parents put their all into their role as a parent, and with this comes a lot of worry. Most parents worry if they are doing the right things and this is a very common, normal part of parenting.
For parents of special needs children, however, the challenges are more exaggerated. After all, there is guilt associated with it all, and when you are told that your child has this or that or will or will not succeed at tasks it is easy to buy into this. However, there is a completely different perception of special needs kids that it is important to look at before you evaluate your parenting style. One of the biggest issues for most special needs children is that they are spoiled. Now please, dont take offense, because I say this with all the love that any parent can muster. You dont mean to, but they seem so helpless, so disadvantaged could you be wrong?
It is my experience that too many people underestimate the abilities of special needs children or anyone with special needs. This is not only true for the parents but for most people who are involved with or come in contact with anyone with special needs, includiing teachers, medical professionals and caregivers. This is not meant to sound rude, offensive or harsh in any way, just an expression of my own personal experiences.
Their process begins from birth and dont believe for one second any doctor, teacher or other professional who tells you what the limits, life-expectancy or deterioration rate of your child will be. And if they want to tell you anyway, find someone else who believes that the power that they hold inside is completely unlimited. Expect good behavior, positive results and successes. Dont get discouraged, dont give up, and dont ever assume that they have attained all that they can in this world.
Comparing your child to others is a natural action for many parents. Try to refrain from this behavior. Allow your child to be a unique individual and encourage them to find their own unlimited power that is within. Let them feel free to reach for the stars, and to never give up hope. Expect success and encourage it and you will see the positive results in the ability and spirit of your child.