 Submitted by Judy Winter, author of Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs and keynote speaker at next Tuesday's Lunch & Learn
-Interact with family members with special needs, and encourage others to do the same. If the child uses a wheelchair, kneel to eye level and address the child directly. Allow other kids in the family to buddy up and assist the child with special needs in hanging ornaments, frosting cookies, setting the table, or handing out presents. Help the child participate whenever possible, while teaching all kids in the family valuable, lasting life lessons.
-Practice forgiveness whenever possible. Most family members don't intentionally exclude children with special needs. They often require education, support and positive examples to bring them up to speed. By focusing on creative solutions, families can help realize holiday magic for kids with special needs, too- and that's in keeping with the spirit of the season!
-Buy age/skill-level appropriate gifts for the child with special needs. Regardless of how well intentioned, inappropriate gift selection for children with special needs hurts. When in doubt, ask parents for gift ideas, or obtain a copy of the child's holiday wish list. Reserve baby toys (and baby talk) for babies! Key Note: Toys 'r Us offers an annual Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids, 'a toy selection guide 'for parents and friends of children with disabilities,' to ensure the holiday toy wishes of kids with special needs come true, too.
-Communicate! Don't assume others can read your mind. They can't. Instead, arrange family meetings to discuss your child's needs and how to best address them. Provide needed training and brainstorm ways to include the child with special needs in family activities. For example, if a he/she uses a wheelchair, address accessibility issues and plan activities in locations that don't involve stairs. Speak up now to help prevent bigger misunderstandings and hurt feelings later on. Family members, you can reach out and initiate problem solving, too. Our children are always worth our best efforts, and your support to these families is priceless.
-Redefine your expectations. Throw all those visions of a perfect Hallmark family holiday right out the garland-draped window! Instead, ask what memories you want to create for all of your children. Having a child with special needs does not mean you must forgo memorable and fun holiday moments and traditions. Think creatively! It's worth the effort.
-Inclusion is the name of the game! Kids with special needs are children first, with big dreams and long holiday wish lists, just like other kids. Whenever possible, include the child in holiday festivities and activities like tree trimming, baking cookies, shopping for gifts, and attending church services (use the cry room if needed). Include that child in family holiday photos and videos, too.
-Address food allergies and noise/touch sensitivities and make allowances for them. The seasonal bounty this time of year results in overload for many children, especially those with sensory, auditory and food issues. Kids with food allergies may not be able to eat all the traditional goodies most of us eagerly gobble up. Discuss alternatives and inform family members about life-threatening allergies so they don't offer the offending foods to the child.
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Judy Winter is the author of 'Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations,' and co founder of the Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp at Michigan State University. To learn more about Judy's work on special needs parenting, visit: www.JudyWinter.com. Article reprinted with the author's permission. All rights reserved 2009. |
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