Early intervention is critical to the future success of children of special needs. The skills and knowledge gained through such programs can go a long way toward helping a child succeed in future school settings. Special needs parents whose children are succeeding in school and in life, will often tell you early intervention was a key in their child’s positive development. Find out what your community, school district and churches have to offer in terms of early-on programs and special needs resources and use them.
Don’t assume that just because your child has special needs, he can’t attend a regular nursery or preschool. Make phone calls and ASK, but be willing to offer whatever support you can, including volunteering your time in the classroom, to make normal preschool experiences a reality for your child. School settings affiliated with colleges and other institutions may offer an increased chance of acceptance because of the higher student-to-staff ratio and their commitment to diversity and to training future educators.
Be honest with the school personnel about the needs of your child. It’s better to be up front about what will be expected of the staff and have them accept your child than it is to withhold crucial information and have the experience quickly end in failure.
If serious medical challenges make outside placements difficult, ask your pediatrician and other professionals who work with your child to share any ideas or contacts they may have for preschool opportunities or play groups for your child. Check with major hospitals and medical centers with a focus on children with chronic medical conditions for their suggestions of possible resources, programs and activities. The Internet is also a great tool for discovering local resources and programs and networking with parents of similarly challenged children.
Combine parental resources and skills and consider starting your own preschool with other enthusiastic parents of children with special needs.
If your child’s medical needs make it difficult to take her to an outside setting, find out what in-home services might be available to through early-on programs. If you can afford it, hire someone to come into your home and work with your child, or find high school or college students willing to volunteer their time. The important thing is to offer your child every opportunity to learn and grow, no matter what her level of disability, even if that activity is something as simple as reading to her.
Network with other parents. Find out what has worked for them and see if you can make it work for your child, too.
Never give up. It only takes one enthusiastic, ‘yes!’ to make you forget about all those heartbreaking rejections. As a parent, envision what you want for your child’s future-- and then, help make it happen.