PARENTING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

All children, including those with disabilities, need love, respect, nurturing, and time, especially during difficult and uncertain times.

 Keep your child safe

• It is strongly recommended that you follow local guidelines for COVID-19 while helping your child stay as active as possible both indoors and outdoors.
• Ask your local support team or intervention centers about special arrangements for the COVID-19.
• Keep emergency contact numbers where you can easily see it, such as on the refrigerator.

Ask for help if you can

• Share the load with other adult family members.
• You are not alone! Keep connected with people who understand your situation. Share your challenges AND your successes.
• It is normal to feel stressed, frustrated and afraid at this time.
• Be kind to yourself and take a break when you need to!

Be supportive, empathetic and loving 

• Your child may not have the same support they usually have and this can lead to additional challenges, such as increased stress, anxiety and frustration.
• Use physical and verbal support to make your child feel accepted and loved.
• Positive body language, gestures and words make a big difference!

Communicating with your child 

• Get down to your child’s level when communicating with your child.
• Maintain eye contact and a positive attitude.
• Take your time to allow your child the space to communicate.
• Observe, listen to and confirm that you understand your child.

Reinforce the positive!

• Reinforce strengths with praise and stimulate their abilities rather than highlight the things they cannot do.
• Only help children when they need it. Too much support denies them the chance to become independent and can feel patronizing.

Strengthen routines 

• Routines help children feel secure and safe.
• Create a daily routine with activities that are familiar to your child and include some of their favorite activities.
• Help your child connect to friends and family members via phone chats, writing cards or drawing pictures.
• Provide your child with choices so that they have a sense of control. This also increases self-esteem.
• Use simple language and clear instructions and nonverbal communication for children who need it (for example: gestures, pictures, and visual aids).                                                                                                                (Adopted from UNICEF)