When the road seems uphill both ways, it's hard to see that you're ever going to reach the top. Living with, loving and supporting your child with special needs takes incredible courage and a profound commitment to her success. Bring this list to meetings with your child's teachers or care providers - any time you need to advocate for your child. There are a couple of ideas here for special needs parents, too. We hope it helps you stay focused on the many ways your child benefits from your love and support.

  • Look past a child’s labels and obvious special needs. Focus on a child’s strengths, not on a disability. This is one of the most important thing parents and teachers can do to help any child succeed. It's so important that listing your child's strengths is one of the first steps in a special education IEP.
  • Become involved in your child’s school, even if you only attend parent-teacher conferences to discuss your child’s progress. Even the smallest effort at parent teacher communication can send a positive message to your child’s teacher and to your child, helping to promote positive self-esteem.
  • Make sure your child eats a good breakfast before going to school. It’s hard to learn if you are hungry. Washington Careers Center believes this so strongly, they provide breakfast for students who need it.
  • Be creative in looking for solutions to your child’s needs. Supplement school learning with dynamic resources, hands-on learning, and field trips to interesting places.
  • Never give up on a child. Many older students blossom under the direction of positive adult role models in their lives.
  • Approach all programs with an open mind. Don't rule out a program simply because it is center based. When choosing the right school for your child, visit many programs and look for signs of success. Meet teachers and staff, visit classrooms and talk with the students to find out if this is the right school for your child’s challenges. Discover whether the school's attitude about helping children learn matches yours.
  • With hard work, proper resources, and solid teamwork between parents and teachers who care, most children can succeed.