As a parent of children with special needs, you may feel isolated and frustrated sometimes. And even though you love your child with everything you have, caring for their every need can leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. That’s why it is essential that you have a support group—or even several—by your side. Raising a child with special needs is an incredible blessing, but even the strongest parents need extra support to make sure they are getting the right help and resources to care for themselves and their children. This is why finding support as a parent of children with special needs is so important.
In this brief article, we’ll go over some tips for finding support groups, as well as explore the differences between some of the major categories of support groups. Keep in mind that every support group is different, and some may be geared toward specific medical diagnoses. The process of finding a support group varies in length for every individual, and it can be stressful to navigate as you try to find groups that best meet your needs.
If you have any questions about support groups or want to know about services for special needs individuals and their families, feel free to call us at (623) 780-5690 or send an email to contact@onangelswingsaz.com. We are happy to help in any way we can!
Finding support groups can seem overwhelming. Depending on where you live, there can be a variety of support groups (making it hard to settle on just one or two) or hardly any at all. On top of that, some support groups are specific to one type of medical diagnosis or disability. Each support will have its own unique goals and interpersonal dynamics, which can make it even more challenging to find a good fit for you and your child.
Now that we’ve explored some ways you can begin your search for support groups, let’s go into the different types of support groups available. Remember that each support group may have different goals, focuses, and milestones. It may take some time to find the fit that is best for you and your child.
Here are some of the different types of support groups for parents of children with special needs.
Oftentimes, school districts (and even specific special needs schools) have parent groups that are dedicated support groups for families with special needs students. These groups are not anonymous, nor are they necessarily meant to be therapeutic. Rather, they are designed to discuss and advocate for the needs of special needs students within that district. Sometimes, these groups invite speakers who can answer parents’ questions and concerns.
These groups can help parents find the best therapists, learn about programs and resources available, and even make friends within the school community.
Parents should never feel embarrassed or ashamed about joining an emotional support group, and there are many reasons why parents may want to join these groups. Learning that your child has a special need can be difficult, and dealing with fallout from extended family or even financial worries can be paralyzing. That’s where these emotional support groups come in.
These groups are a great way to meet others who have been through the challenges you are facing now. They can give advice, offer support, or simply be a shoulder for you to lean on during difficult times. Whatever your needs, you may find the support you are looking for.
Some cities, counties, or regions offer resources, services, and support for parents of children with special needs. Oftentimes, these groups are non-profits that are run by paid staff and volunteers. You may find that your region has support groups and resources tailored to specific age groups or special needs. The only potential downside is that these groups may be a long distance from where you live. But these days, you may also be able to join these groups online.
Many national organizations are large-scale non-profits that offer a variety of resources. And what’s great about some national groups is that they may also have local chapters that serve your particular area. Getting involved in these groups is a great way to network with knowledgeable staff members who can help with things like housing, schools, employment, and other resources. However, these national groups may not be able to give you the one-on-one support that a local or school-based group can, so it’s a good idea to mix and match.
These days, there are online groups for almost any kind of need. Whether you are just finding out that your child has special needs or are trying to help your child navigate their unique abilities, you may be able to find online groups that address those topics. Online groups allow parents from all over the world to share their experiences and offer guidance and support. If you have a particular topic or problem you want to share, chances are there is an online group for you.
If you are new to our blog, we would like to share these additional resources for parents of special needs children. Some resources are specific to Arizona (where On Angel’s Wings, Inc. is based), and some are national. Check out these resources below and check out our blog for even more information.
If you have questions or want to seek out additional resources, feel free to call us at (623) 780-5690 or send an email to contact@onangelswingsaz.com. We hope this short guide has helped you with finding support as a parent of children with special needs!