How To Take Care Of Kids With Disabilities

For any parent, caring for a child with disabilities is not easy. Depending on your child’s condition, you must actively figure out how to look after them and accommodate their needs. However, this is a challenge in itself. Someday you may find it easier to help your child; other days may be too hard on you. As a result, it is not unusual to feel isolated, weary and confused as you try to tackle one day at a time. But you are not alone. 

According to the recent estimates presented by the CDC, more than 17% of children between the ages of three to seventeen have one or more developmental disabilities. This is why you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help. The more informed you are, the better care you can provide for your child. Therefore, for your understanding, here’s what you need to know:

. Understand your child’s diagnosis

There are numerous types of disabilities. Your child may have trouble learning, physical challenges, or vision problems. To care for your child, you need an accurate diagnosis of what they have and act accordingly. Specific disabilities are congenital, while others can happen while you are delivering your child. The latter case occurs if you have difficult labor and get little to no help from the medical staff in the delivery room.

Furthermore, your child also has a chance of developing a disability like Erb’s palsy if the doctor accidentally damages your child’s nerves, impairing their arms’ movement. In such cases, you need to speak to another medical professional immediately, examine your child, and learn the extent of their injury. Some instances of Erb’s palsy can heal within three to four months, but others require extensive treatment. 

Hence, it would be best to speak to a reliable medical practitioner whenever you notice your child exhibiting unusual symptoms. Ask them what your child has, how you can help, and if treatments can improve their quality of life. You should also supplement your knowledge by reading up on your child’s diagnosis. Look up research on your child’s disability, study their success rate, and use any technique you learn online to facilitate your child’s condition. 

. Modify your house

Your house will need to undergo several vital changes for your child’s well-being. For instance, you cannot have sharp or glass furniture that your child can run into and hurt themselves. Similarly, you may want to install a ramp on the staircase, put supportive bars around the house and purchase a smart bed that prevents your little one from falling. Your home needs to be altered according to your child’s condition. This will allow them to move around, explore their surroundings, and save them from severe wounds that may require hospitalization. 

If your child gets help from the Medicaid waiver program, you can channel some funds into modifying your home. Certain upgrades are expensive, but your child needs them. For example, if your little one has a hearing disability, they cannot hear a standard fire alarm, so you will need to invest in a visual alarm system that gets triggered with a regular one and save your child. 

. Ask for help

It is okay to acknowledge that you need help. Sometimes you may be out of your depths in looking after your child and struggle to provide them with the attention they need. Looking after your child alone is challenging. They may be too energetic for you to handle, throw tantrums before bedtime, and also have episodes of aggressiveness. This requires you to always be on guard and ensure that your child is not acting out, hurting themselves, and following a routine. Your child’s disability can also make them unpredictable, and if your little one has a pattern of becoming reckless, you will need to stay vigilant constantly. All of these factors can weigh down on you and affect your health. 

Hence, don’t hesitate to ask others to pitch in. You must ensure that your partner is equally responsible and active in caring for their child. You both must be on the same page. Learn to pick each other’s slacks and stay united as a team to provide for your child. If you have the resources, look into nurses, attendants, and trained professionals who can assist you in caring for your child. You can hire these experts for a few hours a day or keep them as full-time workers. Nurses are instrumental in administering medication, teaching you how to feed your child, and recognizing if your little one is having an episode. 

. Look into physical therapy

Your child’s disabilities can make it hard for them to carry out everyday activities. If your little one has cerebral palsy, they may have trouble swallowing, picking up objects, and struggling to maintain their balance as they walk. So, booking an appointment with a physical therapist can provide them with the help they need. These professionals are trained to examine, evaluate and administer care. They know the techniques that can help your child swallow better, improve their speech and support them in using their muscles. After a few sessions, you will notice a marked difference in your child’s appearance. 

Their muscles may gain a slight tone, feel their balance improve, and walk longer than they previously could. Physical therapists are ideal for children with disabilities. They can help your little one gain certain freedom and control. Don’t skip out on any appointment, and follow the PT’s advice carefully. Your child’s therapist will also teach you some exercises you can try with them at home. Try to do them with your child as much as possible since this can stimulate their limbs and be a positive form of engagement. 

Conclusion

There is no denying that looking after a differently-abled child is challenging. You have to learn, research, and adjust to accommodating your child’s needs and figure out what’s best in handling them. To do this, you first need to know your child’s condition and how they got it. From there, supplement your learning by looking up online articles and blogs that can point you in the right direction to providing your child with optimal care. Your house will need to undergo several changes to make it comfortable and functional for your little one and reduce their chances of getting hurt. 

Never think you’re above asking for help and isolate yourself in looking after your child alone. It takes a village to raise a child, and it’s vital to have a support system that can lend you a hand with your kid. Lastly, go for physical therapy and make it a part of your child’s routine. These professionals can address your little one’s developmental disabilities and help them work through them. In short, keep studying your child’s disabilities, follow a consistent routine, and slowly but surely, you’ll find it easier to care for your baby.