Looking after special needs kids can be difficult and stressful both to the child and the parent. Children with autism, Down Syndrome, or ADHD require special care and parents need a ton of support and guidance to raise them.
On March 18, a woman from Singapore was sentenced to five years in jail for pushing her autistic son out the window, according to Straits Times. She was suffering from a major depressive disorder which caused her to think thoughts that her son was the reason she was miserable. She was also the main provider for her family and she reached a breaking point.
News such as this is certainly tragic and stresses the need for some sort of support system for parents. According to Straits Times, regular check-ins from social workers and assistance from nurses and caregivers should be provided. People suffering from depression should be encouraged to join programs that help with these types of conditions. There should be a community for these types of families.
While such services are available, sometimes it can be difficult to navigate the system on your own. In Florida, a resource center called Help Me Grow became available for parents to call to get connected to the appropriate programs and providers when they need help with their child, whether with special needs or without. Orlando Sentinel reports that a hotline, 2-1-1, is available 24/7 and encourages parents and guardians to get in touch when they need to.
Calgary Herald shares ideas from different people on what they think should be done to help a child with special needs. These thoughts from parents, caregivers, and academics can prove to be helpful in the future.
