Autism Awareness and HelpA video blog by Pinki Kumar on some of the best Midline crossing activities for Autistic kids
Author Pinki Kumar
Pinki is a special educator, play therapist and a mother of a neurodivergent kid. She has a YouTube channel Play and learn to teach different methods and strategies. These videos are a great resource for the parents to help their child learn various skills.
Empowering Parents as Therapists: Understanding and Supporting Special Needs Children
Raising a child with special needs can be both a rewarding and challenging journey for parents. While professional therapists and educators play a crucial role in their child’s development, parents especially mothers, can enhance their child’s progress by becoming actively involved as therapists at home. By understanding their child better and implementing appropriate strategies, parents can create a nurturing environment that supports their child’s unique needs.
Children with special needs require extra care and attention, and their parents more specifically their mothers, being the primary caregiver, often play the most important role in their development. They understand and know their child completely. However, many parents may feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to best support their child. While seeking therapy from a professional is recommended, parents can also become a powerful force in their child’s progress by becoming their child’s best therapist.
Understanding a special needs child’s specific needs, unique challenges, and potentials is critical for providing effective care and support. The more parents know about their child’s condition, the better equipped they will be to provide the right kind of help, including therapeutic interventions, educational support, and social-emotional development. Parents and mothers who are knowledgeable about their child’s needs can also communicate more effectively with healthcare providers, educators, and other professionals involved in their child’s care.
My today’s blog aims to provide parents with valuable insights and practical tips on how to function as a therapist for their special needs child.
Here are some ways parents and mothers can become the best therapists for their special needs child. Unraveling some tips!
1. Educate yourself about your child’s condition:
A.)Learn about your child’s condition
The first step towards becoming your child’s best therapist is to understand their condition, the challenges and the strengths. Research and read up on your child’s diagnosis, and learn about the common symptoms, behaviors, and best practiced techniques and therapies associated with it. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to help your child. Parents should take the time to learn as much as they can about their child’s specific needs, challenges, and potentials.
B.)They can read trusted articles and blogs available online, for example- the SpecialSaathi blogs. Read books, attend conferences, workshops, or the ParentSaathi webinars conducted often by SpecialSaathi and consult with the resource person the ParentSaathis, the experts in the field to gain a better understanding and insight of your child’s condition. By acquiring knowledge, you can better understand your child’s experiences and tailor your approach accordingly.
2. Observe and document your child’s behaviors:
A.) Developing a deep understanding of your child’s behaviors, triggers, and communication patterns is vital. Parents should pay close attention to their child’s behaviors, nonverbal cues, body language, and gestures and document them regularly in a diary or in an Excel. By observing their reactions to different situations, you can identify their preferences, dislikes, and potential sources of stress.
B.) Effective communication is also crucial—encourage open dialogue with your child’s therapists, teachers, and doctors to gain valuable insights into their progress and challenges. This information can help them track the child’s progress, identify patterns in behavior, and identify areas where their child may need additional support.
3. Set realistic goals:
Based on your understanding of your child’s condition, parents should set realistic goals for your child’s development. Parents can work in collaboration with therapists and educators to identify appropriate IEPs, proper goals and strategies for achieving them.
4. Implement therapy and educational interventions:
Parents can work with therapists and educators to implement therapeutic and educational interventions tailored to their child’s specific needs. They can also provide additional support and practice at home to reinforce what their child is learning in therapy and at school.
5. Create a structured routine:
A.)Children with special needs often thrive in a structured environment. Establishing a consistent routine for your child can provide them sense of security and stability and can help them feel secure and in control.
B.)Plan out a daily visual schedule that includes meals, therapy sessions, playtime, greeting, my favorite time, activities, household chores, clean up time and rest periods.
C.) Make sure to communicate the schedule with your child and stick to it as much as possible.
D.)Designate specific areas for different activities, such as play, study, and relaxation.
E.)Clear boundaries and consistent expectations help children understand what is expected of them, reducing anxiety and improving their overall well-being.
6. Use positive reinforcement:
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for encouraging desired behaviors in children. Praising your child when they demonstrate positive behavior can help them feel more confident and motivated. Find small things to celebrate, and make sure to be specific with your praise.
7. Utilize Play as Therapy:
Play is a powerful tool for children with special needs, as it fosters social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Children learn best through play. Engage in purposeful play with your child, incorporating activities that align with their therapy goals. Use visual aids, interactive toys, and sensory materials to make learning enjoyable and engaging. Incorporate therapeutic play into your daily routine, using toys and activities that are tailored to your child’s needs. Play is an excellent way to bond with your child, making a connection, for joint attention, learning new skills & vocabulary, developing communication, social, and motor skills, and to create positive interactions with your child. Encourage imaginative play, role-playing, and problem-solving to enhance their creativity and communication skills.
8. Incorporate Therapeutic Activities:
Supplementing formal therapy sessions with targeted activities at home can accelerate your child’s progress. Collaborate with your child’s therapists to develop an individualized plan and integrate therapeutic exercises into your daily routine. This may include fine motor skill development through arts and crafts, speech and language exercises, sensory integration activities, or physical exercises to enhance gross motor skills.
9. Foster Social Connections:
Social interaction plays a crucial role in a child’s overall development. Create opportunities for your child to engage with peers, family members, and friends. Arrange playdates, participate in community events, or enroll your child in social skills groups. Encourage shared interests, cooperative play, and positive peer interactions to enhance their socialization skills.
10. Foster a positive and supportive environment:
Parents can create a positive and supportive environment that encourages your child’s development and helps them overcome challenges. This can include providing positive reinforcement, setting clear boundaries, providing visual schedules and developing routines and structures that promote your child’s well-being.
11. Practice patience and understanding:
Caring for a child with special needs can be challenging and frustrating at times. It is essential to practice patience and understanding with your child. Recognize their skill level , potentials and strengths. Understand that progress may be slow, and setbacks are inevitable. Remember that your child is doing their best, and offer support and encouragement along the way. Stay focused on your goal, learn from the failures and create more and more successful moments.
12. Advocate for your child:
As a parent, you are your child’s best advocate. Take an active role in their therapy by communicating with therapists, doctors, and educators about your child’s progress and needs. If your child goes to school, be actively present in all the meetings and stay updated about your child’s progress. Rause concerns as and when needed. Stay informed about available resources and services that can help your child, and make sure to voice your concerns and needs.
13. Take care of yourself
Caring for a child with special needs can be emotionally and physically exhausting. It is essential to prioritize self-care and seek support when needed and to take care of yourself, so you can be the best caregiver possible. Practice patience, as progress may be gradual and setbacks can occur. Celebrate small achievements and focus on your child’s strengths. Engaging in activities that rejuvenate you, such as exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones, will enable you to be a more effective therapist for your child. Make sure to take breaks when you need them, seek support from family and friends, hire additional help, assign duties, share responsibilities and prioritize self-care activities that help you recharge. Caring for a special needs child can be physically and emotionally demanding.
So, knowing about a special needs child’s specific needs, unique challenges, and potentials is critical for providing effective care and support. Parents can become the best therapists for their child. Becoming your child’s best therapist requires dedication, patience, and a willingness to learn. By incorporating above mentioned tips you can help your child achieve their full potential. Remember to take care of yourself along the way, and celebrate the small victories. With your love and support, your child can thrive and lead a fulfilling life.
Parents, particularly mothers, can have a profound impact on their child’s development as they take on the role of a therapist at home. By understanding their child’s unique needs, implementing therapeutic strategies, and creating a nurturing environment, parents can support their child’s growth and well-being. Remember, it’s a journey!
Hope you all enjoyed reading the blog! Do leave your valuable feedback and share it with other parents. Thank you for reading !!
Founder SpecialSaathi