| When a special needs child presents all the | | | | disordered child into that environment. If |
| unique needs associated with his/her | | | | the parent is not comfortable providing the |
| situation, parents face challenges that can | | | | home schooling curriculum, they can turn to |
| sometimes be quite difficult. Certain | | | | facilities that are trained to give such |
| conditions are more severe than others and | | | | care. Many local and online support groups |
| can be paired with medical problems as well | | | | have formed to help comfort parents and give |
| as developmental issues. If a child has both | | | | them encouragement when they need that |
| conditions, even daily routines can be | | | | support to care for their special needs |
| complicated not to mention educational | | | | child. |
| issues. A special needs child could also have | | | | |
| just one issue such as asthma or severe food | | | | Another valuable resource for parents is |
| allergies that demand that the child's diet | | | | respite care. Parents with a special needs |
| and surroundings are modified to take that | | | | child are under constant stress and have |
| condition into consideration. Special | | | | fewer opportunities to have time alone |
| equipment is not stranger to some special | | | | although they probably need that break more |
| needs children who are on oxygen, use a | | | | than parents without special needs children. |
| wheelchair, or need shots/medication during | | | | If there are no family members or friends |
| school hours. Luckily, laws require that | | | | available, the parents can find respite |
| public schools provide the modifications | | | | providers that have received training to care |
| needed as well as a certified staff member to | | | | for special needs children. Some may be |
| help if needed. | | | | nurses if the child needs medical care as |
| | | | well. This gives the parents the chance to |
| Parents do have several resources available | | | | recharge their batteries and to stay |
| to help their special needs child no matter | | | | connected to each other. Although it is |
| what the severity level. If medical or | | | | sometimes difficult to care for a special |
| psychological issues are too severe for the | | | | needs child, parents do have support and |
| child to go to school, the parent may need to | | | | information if they need it. With social |
| provide home schooling. Children who are | | | | workers, agencies that offer their services, |
| extremely sensitive to germs that are found | | | | and other professionals who specialize in the |
| in public schools would come to harm if | | | | area, parents can fulfill their child's needs |
| exposed to that situation. Obviously, it | | | | as well as their own. |
| would not be ethical to send an auto-immune | | | | |