Parenting Your Disabled Child

Electronic book text

The First Three Years

If you or someone you know has a child with disabilities, this book is for you. Whether the problem is picked up in pregnancy or after birth, or is a result of an accident or of sudden illness Parenting Your Disabled Child takes you through the emotional roller coaster of diagnosis, to coping strategies for babies and toddlers with developmental delay, sensory impairment or learning difficulty. The cause of the disability might be brain damage, a genetic or chromosomal disorder, metabolic disease, traumatic injury, or damage after illness, such as post-meningitis, while conditions may include autism, Down syndrome, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, dyslexia, and a host of others. The book has therefore a wide range, but the emphasis remains on the child, rather than the disability. It s important to bear in mind also that at this stage there may be no diagnosis - many families are not given any diagnosis for at least two years. Meanwhile they have to cope like any other family with a tiny child. Sensitive and practical, the book addresses the common concerns of parenting such as feeding, sleeping, toileting, and the thorny question of discipline. It explains why it is vital to avoid the all-too-common mistake of being over-protective, and how to give small children opportunities for learning and independence. Topics include:

Your child s need for stimulus and interaction

Encouraging physical development

Intellectual development

Social situations

How to foster independence

Reinforcing good behaviour

Life as a family and looking after yourselves